Project Updates

  • May 2020 Community Input Invited

    The design for the new MacArthur Elementary School Building is due to be submitted in June to the City for their initial review. Ahead of that submission, ACPS would like community feedback on the colors and materials to be used in the facade of the new building. DLRGroup has shared three initial options for feedback. These may be adjusted once the feedback has been collated. 

    Here is how you can contribute to your new school - 

    May 26, 2020

    The Douglas MacArthur Advisory Group met virtually with ACPS and The DLR Group to review updated designs, material and color pallets for the new Douglas MacArthur Elementary School building. The DMAG, ACPS and DLR would like feedback and input from the community on preferences for materials and colors.

    View the presentation.

    May 18, 2020

    The Douglas MacArthur Advisory Group met virtually with ACPS and The DLR Group to discuss the latest designs in anticipation of a June 2020 submission to the City for the DSUP process. This was a joint meeting with the Collaborative Committee and the first part of the presentation provides an update on swing space at the new Douglas MacArthur on Taney Avenue.

    View the presentation.

    April 29, 2020

    On April 29, the City Manager approved funding to allow the continuation of the Douglas MacArthur Modernization project in his revised budget. Therefore, despite the economic downturn due to COVID-19, the building of a new Douglas MacArthur Elementary will continue on the original schedule.

    ACPS staff anticipates being able to initiate relocating the school to its temporary swing space at the former Patrick Henry School on Taney Avenue earlier in June than originally planned. This, in turn, may allow early site and decommissioning work at the existing Douglas MacArthur to begin this summer instead of waiting until fall.

    The school division is working on ways to ensure that all students, staff, families and the community can celebrate the memories encapsulated within the old MacArthur building.

    March 18, 2020

    The Douglas MacArthur Advisory Group held a virtual meeting with The DLR group to get an update on the design process.

    February 24, 2020                                         

    Teachers at Douglas MacArthur The teachers at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School met with DLR Group and provided input on the kind of building they believe they need to teach students now and into the future.

    February 24, 2020

    Please view this presentation (PDF) to the school board that details work that educational facilities and maintenance will take over the summer months at ACPS school buildings.

    February 20, 2020

    Progress was made in Q2 towards the new build for Douglas MacArthur Elementary School. The design process began for the new school. The concept phase will be completed in Q3.

    February 19, 2020

    The DLR Group presented the timeline for the design process and what the community can expect during the schematic part of the design process that will run through April 2020. 

    View the presentation.

    View the video.

    February 18, 2020

    The Douglas MacArthur Advisory Group met to discuss the "Forest" concept design. The DLR Group will be submitting design concept for the DSUP process in March.

    View the presentation.

    February 6, 2020

    The School Board voted for the "Forest" concept design. 

    View the video of the School Board meeting and discussion.

    Read the press release (PDF).

    View the presentation to the Board (PDF).

    View the concept booklet (PDF).

    View the memo to the Board (PDF).

    View community input from civic associations (PDF).

    Read the joint statement on colocation (PDF).

    February 3, 2020

    ACPS held a community meeting featuring City Manager Mark Jinks. Watch the community meeting.
    Read the joint statement between ACPS and the City government.

    January 23, 2020

    The DLR group presented the Douglas MacArthur community's two preferred design concepts with the School Board.

    January 15, 2020

    ACPS and DLR held an open house for the community to view the three concepts shared with the Advisory Group for their feedback. This was followed by a community meeting with a presentation from DLR about the three concepts, a city colocation update, and they received feedback to be shared with the School Board.

    Colocation was a topic at the meeting which could include additional recreation space, affordable or workforce housing or added health services, colocated on the site with Douglas MacArthur Elementary School. ACPS and the City intend to explore feasible and appropriate colocation opportunities within the chosen concept, but ACPS's educational program for the new school will take priority. 

    January 13, 2020

    DLR met with the Advisory Group and presented three concept designs for a possible new building on the Douglas MacArthur site. The Advisory group chose two to send to the School Board for consideration. Advisory Group Meeting on Design Concepts.

    January 13, 2020

    DLR met with the School Team and presented three concept designs for a possible new building on the Douglas MacArthur site. The team provided their feedback on the three designs and this was shared with the Advisory Group members.

    December 18, 2019

    A community wide meeting was held at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School to discuss five concept designs for a future school building. The design team is eager to get your input on each of the proposed concepts. 

    View the presentation.

    Leave your feedback at: newmacarthur@acps.k12.va.us

    We would like to thank City staff who presented the City’s concept around colocating services, and their work in the development of a master plan for citywide sites, including school sites over the next 18 months.

    December 16, 2019

    DLR met with the Advisory Group and presented five concept designs for a possible new building on the Douglas MacArthur site. 

    November 18, 2019

    Staff engaged with DLR in a visioning session to determine their priorities for the new building.

    November 16, 2019 

    Alexandria City Council voted unanimously to allow ACPS to update and use the old Patrick Henry Elementary School facility as temporary swing space for Douglas MacArthur Elementary School students while a new school is being built at the MacArthur site.

    November 9, 2019

    A community wide visioning session was held in the library at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School. The DLR Group shared videos and led exercises meant to help community members develop a shared vision for the new school.

    November, 7, 2019Group Exercise on Values

    The Alexandria City Planning Commission unanimously approved permitting documents that will allow ACPS to use the old Patrick Henry School as temporary swing space for Douglas MacArthur Elementary School students. By approving a Special Use Amendment (DSUP), the Commission is saying that the design plans, including parking, are acceptable and the two schools can be colocated.

    November 4, 2019

    On November 4, the Douglas MacArthur Advisory Group held their first meeting with the DLR Group, the architects and designers of the new school building, and ACPS. After introductions and a description of roles, the DLR Group presented a summary from the listening session held with the larger community the previous week. 

    October 29, 2019

    ACPS held a Kick Off event for the Douglas MacArthur community to meet the architects who will be leading the redesign and build of the new elementary school. They held a mini-visioning session and introduced the Douglas MacArthur Advisory Group members who were in attendance.