In 2015, the Josephites, the oldest African-American Catholic order of priests in the United States, selected EYA to master-plan, entitle, and develop 4-acres of their 8-acre St. Joseph’s Seminary site, directly across from Providence Hospital in Ward 5.
The Josephites sought additional funds to continue their mission of service in underserved African-American communities and concluded that a land sale would allow them to remain in their large seminary, which they’ve occupied since 1930, and further propel their mission. EYA’s past success at Chancellors Row proved our ability to work with Ward 5 Catholic institutions to maximize the value of their real estate assets. After a thoughtful process and detailed discussions with the Josephites’ leadership, they selected EYA to develop their excess land. In order to design a project that was approvable by the Office of Planning, it was central to gain neighborhood and ANC support. Initially, many in the local neighborhood were opposed to any development on the site.
In order to understand the initial concerns and adequately address them in our planning efforts, EYA led nearly 40 community meetings in 18 months. After an extended community outreach process with the ANC, local civic associations, and various interest groups, the ANC and the Zoning Commission both voted unanimously to support the proposed development.
