Banneker Site has more Athletic Space than Shaw

One factor in the decision on siting Banneker Academic High School is the availability of athletic space.  At both the proposed Shaw and the current Banneker location, the outside space is controlled by DC Department of Recreation, so use of athletic fields and courts would have to be coordinated between agencies at either site. However, approximate measurements (Google Earth) show that Banneker’s current location has significantly more  recreation and parking space than Shaw.

The Recreation Department land available at Banneker shows approximately 571,100 square feet of programmed space, including the footprint of the Banneker building itself.  The outdoor space includes:

• 6 tennis courts
• 2 basketball courts
• 1 softball field
• 1 baseball field, bleachers & track
• 1 outdoor pool, & historic pool house
• 1 skate board park
• 1 playground

At the Shaw site the rough measurement of DC Rec land available to be shared is approximately 295,600 square feet, including the footprint of the old school.  The DC Rec space and the closed school share the block with three other Shaw institutions: The Tenth Street Baptist Church and its parking lot, the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA and the Hillcrest Children and Family Center. Programmed DC Rec space includes:

• 1 dog park
• 1 skate park
• 2 basketball courts
• 1 parking lot, @33 spaces

  

• 1 playing field, @ 52,600 sq. ft., very irregular

If athletic facilities are the priority for Banneker and the city, then the now closed Spingarn High School at 2500 Benning Rd, NE is a site that should be evaluated as it includes a huge stadium with a view over the adjacent Langston Golf Course, Kingman Island and the Aquatic Gardens.  There are 3 tennis courts, 3 basketball courts, with a baseball field available a block away at the selective Phelps Architecture, Construction and Engineering High School and parking for well over 100 cars.