Neighbors in Mt. Vernon fighting to keep DC temporary central cell block out of neighborhood

WASHINGTON ( DC News Now ) — There’s continuing controversy in Northwest D.C. as people in Mount Vernon Triangle try to block the District from putting a temporary Central Cell Block in their neighborhood.

The building at 501 New York Avenue NW is slated to be a temporary holding facility for people arrested for up to 24 hours before their first appearance in D.C. Superior Court.

“There’s a daycare center, there’s other foolishness going on in the neighborhood and this location is not the best place for this activity,” neighbor Donna Alexander said.

Neighbors have safety and noise concerns about the temporary cell block.

ANC Commissioner Rachelle Nigro is chair of ANC2G, who said traffic concerns are at the top of the list.

“Whether it be the in and out of the detainees, all the employees, the vendors, it is going to be a 24/7 operation and literally there is not enough room for all of the vehicles,” Nigro said.

The District said arrivals of people arrested will occur randomly throughout the day but most site traffic is expected outside peak commuting hours.

The D.C. Department of General Services said the building is the closest location they have to D.C. Superior Court.

The building already has 19 holding cells and the Department of Corrections wants to add 21 more. That’s up to 80 people who could be held there.

The District needs the D.C. Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) to issue a special exception for renovations.

“The board should deny the special exception needed for the Department of General Services to build the central cell block here,” Nigro said.

During a BZA hearing on Wednesday, the director of the D.C. Department of Corrections said no detainees would be released from the Central Cell Block, rather only D.C. Superior Court. He said soundproofing material would be installed too.

Construction is expected to take 14 months and the Central Cell Block is expected to open in its temporary location in Spring 2026.

The building on New York Ave would house detainees for about four years while the Daly building, which currently houses the Central Cell Block, undergoes extensive renovation.

The Daly building is then expected to reopen for the Central Cell Block in Q4 of 2030.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.