Proposed Design for Shirley Chisholm ES (formerly Tyler) – First Look

Proposed Design for Shirley Chisholm ES (formerly Tyler) – First Look

by Larry Janezich

Posted Monday, February 9, 2026

Thursday night, ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee heard a presentation from STUDIOS Architecture of the concept design for the renovation of Shirley Chisholm Elementary School (formerly Tyler) at 10th and G Streets, SE. 

The school is being modernized and enlarged to meet additional programming and projected enrollment requirements.  The project will also maximize exterior programmable space and ensure the safety and security of students and staff.  The modernization will entail removing all of the interiors, stripping it down to the structure and façade, and providing all new building systems and new finishes.  

The school will vacate this summer into their swing space and demolition and new construction will start.  Completion is projected for July of 2028. 

Following the presentation, the committee voted unanimously to recommend that the full ANC6B support forwarding the designs to the Historic Preservation Committee for review. 

Here’s an overview of the project:

The school’s existing footprint with dates of expansions.

The proposed modernization’s footprint. 

The renovated main entrance at the corner of 10th and G Streets.  The canopy will be replaced and the entrance will feature an accessible pathway. 

Here’s the view of the existing building down G Street with a three story addition at the 11th Street end.

Here’s the view from 11th and G Streets looking southwest.  The image on the building shows a public art space reflecting community feedback about providing a way for Rep. Shirley Chisholm’s legacy to be brought into the school design.

This is a rendering of the south end of the building looking at the play space, the canopy element for community and theater programming space, and another public art feature depicting a place holder.

A view of the 10th Street side of the school looking northeast.  A secondary entrance at grade is in the middle at the bottom of the tower and will allow access to larger spaces that may be used more by the community for afterhours activities in the auditorium and gymnasium without giving access to the full building.

In 2025, members of the community, citing infrastructure issues with the school, voiced opposition to preserving the original 1949 building.  The Historic Preservation Review Board advised preservation of the structure despite that opposition and despite the building’s not having met the historical status of having been constructed before 1945. Owing to HPRB’s unexplained decision to advise preservation of the 1949 building, the ANC’s letter to HPRB supporting review of the design concepts stated that the ANC expects transparency and clarity going forward.   

Here’s a link to an article from last fall in The Hill Rag which provides more detail:  https://bit.ly/3O0JJww