Mayor Bowser Breaks Ground on $65 Million Modernization of Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary in Ward 8

(Washington, DC) - Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser joined District officials, students and teachers, and members of the Ward 8 community for a festive, Halloween-themed "ground-boo-reaking" at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School in Congress Heights. The event celebrated both the start of construction on the $65 million school modernization project and the Halloween holiday, with officials calling on the community to work together to keep trick-or-treaters safe and providing updates on free, family-friendly Halloween activities happening citywide.

"We know that our schools are a bright spot - because of our students, our teachers and school staff, because we have wonderful school communities like the one here at King, and also because we've invested - as a city - in world-class facilities," said Mayor Bowser. "Today, we're also reminding everyone to work together to ensure our kids can have a safe and fun Halloween. If you'll be on the road today, go slow and be on the lookout for trick-or-treaters."

The modernization project will expand King Elementary from 48,000 to 70,000 square feet, fully rehabilitating the existing building and adding new learning, performance, and recreation spaces. The modernized school will feature upgraded classrooms, a new kitchen and cafeteria, and a vibrant new addition facing Alabama Avenue, with a gymnasium, a 30-foot rock-climbing wall, and a performance stage with professional-grade lighting and sound.

"Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary will be more than a school. It will be a space where students learn, play, and build community," said Delano Hunter, Director of the Department of General Services. "We are proud to kick off this project on a day that reminds us how much joy and imagination our students bring to every experience and how important it is to keep them safe."

This project builds on the Bowser Administration's continued investment in world-class learning environments for DC students. Since 2015, the Bowser Administration has invested more than $3 billion to fund over 150 school renovations - including 48 full school modernizations - ensuring students and teachers across the District can enjoy state-of-the-art facilities that help them thrive. The Mayor's FY26 Grow DC budget includes more than $2 billion in additional major capital investments for DC schools.

"Today's groundbreaking is an exciting milestone for the King Crusaders, who will soon have a new facility to further nurture their potential as young scholars," said DCPS Chancellor Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee. "Hundreds of students will benefit from a modern and innovative educational environment which will provide the resources to train the next generation of changemakers inspired by Dr. King's legacy."

The modernization at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary adds to the momentum of major Ward 8 projects - including Leckie Education Campus (delivering December 2025), Malcolm X Elementary School @ Green (Summer 2026), Ketcham Elementary (Summer 2028), and Hart Middle School (Summer 2029) - ensuring that every student learns in a modern, inspiring space.

As part of the groundbreaking celebration, District officials highlighted free, family-friendly Halloween activities happening across the city, while also reminding residents to prioritize safety during Halloween festivities: use crosswalks, carry flashlights, and stay together in small groups with an adult chaperone. For more information on free Halloween events hosted by the Department of Parks and Recreation, visit: dprevents.com; to learn more about the Metropolitan Police Department's Safe Haven Halloween events, visit mpdc.dc.gov.

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