MHCDO LEAD JOB REFERRAL AGENCY FOR THE HD WOODSON HIGH SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

MHCDO is the lead job referral agency for the HD Woodson High School Excavation Project and has referred over 250 DC residents for interviews for upcoming employment opportunities.  Approximately 75 DC residents have been pre-selected by the project lead, Office of Public Education Facilities Modernization (OPEFM), to work on the project in various capacities according to their skills, certification levels, and construction history and will be hired in according to the demands of the project. 

Examples of jobs include certified flaggers, mechanics, electricians, plumbers, and journeyman.  In addition to recruiting skilled laborers, MHCDO has also played a vital role in bringing local minority Certified Business Enterprises (CBE) contractors to the table to participate.  MHCDO most recently played a vital role in coordinating contract discussions between 20 CBE truckers in the East of the River Trucking Association and OPEFM.

The $86 million, 2 ½ year project will have a design that reflects the proud tradition of H.D. Woodson High School. A ceremonial groundbreaking was held in July 2008 and the old school, known as the “Tower of Power,” was demolished beginning last September. When demolition was complete in March 2009, OPEFM moved to finalize the design and budget. “When we demolished the old school, it was our goal to build a centerpiece for the community with the new facility,” Allen Lew, OPEFM Director said. “My planners and architects worked to ensure that we are building a dynamic school that is not only an exciting teaching and learning facility, but also a home for a number of community education, recreation and fine arts activities.”

The new Woodson, located at 5500 Eads Street, N.E. in Ward 7, will also be among the D.C. Public School system’s most environmentally sensitive facility as it seeks the highest Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for “green” building development. The new design calls for an attractive series of buildings that will house an ambitious performing arts/auditorium wing, a central academic wing, and a natatorium/athletic wing. The academic program envision for Woodson is the Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) curriculum. The new H.D. Woodson is planned for completion  in July 2011.

Finally, with many residents desiring to work on the H D Woodson project, MHCDO and OPEFM have placed those with good construction history with other General Contractors throughout the city. MHCDO encourages all Ward 7 residents seeking employment to participate in its Workforce Development Program.