Wednesday 27 March 2013

[WardFive] Re: [concerned4DCPS] Fwd: [ward5] Soundoff: Do you prefer or dislike the Stand-Alone School At South Point of Park for Middle School on Turkey Thicket grounds? Re: Which of the three Standalone options do you prefer for the TurkeyThicket/Brookland Middle School project? What revisions to the plans do you suggest?

So, it look like Richard is agrees with the thought process.  While I am sure that I would enjoy the learning experience, the point I have made here before is that DC is somewhat different from almost if not ALL cities -- We have Land that we can have fields for sports.
 
-- To Richard's point, We don't need to put the football/Soccer field on the roof.  We can use that space for our year round farming and Solar panelling -- especially to resell to our community to reduce our electric costs. If we are stuck with utilizing both sites, then we will have enough space for what is needed -- if only I could get the Architech to design it and we need the proper MOU's. 
 
They need to pay for use our Rec. Center Site.  Actually, the LEASE PROCEEDS from UDC at Backus and from TAFT should be re-directed to supplement the additional programming that Turkey Thicket will be needing to support this Co-Location since these were our Middle School Sites that was taken from us.
 
That is if this is about the KIDS!!!
 
Rob
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
On Wed, Mar 27, 2013 at 2:42 PM, KPW <WKPW3@aol.com> wrote:
 




-----Original Message-----
From: Richard Layman <rlaymandc@yahoo.com>
To: concerned4DCPS <concerned4DCPS@yahoogroups.com>
Cc: indianrob <indianrob@gmail.com>
Sent: Wed, Mar 27, 2013 2:36 pm
Subject: Re: [concerned4DCPS] Fwd: [ward5] Soundoff: Do you prefer or dislike the Stand-Alone School At South Point of Park for Middle School on Turkey Thicket grounds? Re: Which of the three Standalone options do you prefer for the TurkeyThicket/Brookland Middle School project? What revisions to the plans do you suggest?

 
Well, I always recommend doing your own planning initiative, since the various city entities tend to not be super innovative.  (the Project for Public Spaces "How to Turn A Place Around" -- Rob, you should go up and do the workshop in NYC, but that's for another day, it's probably coming up in April)-- is a good model for how to do it.  But there are other examples of this kind of visioning planning process that do the same thing.
 
the Placemaking Chicago website (also PPS affiliated) has lots of good ideas too.
 
2.  Gosh, 7+ years ago I suggested to JO Wilson School that they use the PPS workshop as a model for a neighborhood planning initiative (they didn't do it), partly as a way to rebuild connections between the school and the neighborhood.
 
3.  But I would say you're already moving along.  Perhaps the CUA Arch. school could help you.  Some of the students there are top notch.
 
4.  The thing about parking and underground parking and the "expense"... ideally you are constructing a building that lasts for generations.  Building it to be robust from the outset and to maximize the ability to use the surface for building + park + open space ought to be a priority, so of course, parking, while expensive, should go underground.
 
Note that there is an example of a high school in New Jersey with the football field on the roof--because of lack of ground space.
 
 
again, in space-constrained locations, extraordinary solutions may be in order.  I like the idea of having a school in a central location.
 
5.  IN the other email I sent, I mentioned the Baltimore County DRP and Public Schools memorandum on co-located facilities. 
 
 
Arlington County has an example too at the Thomas Jefferson Middle School and Community Center.
 
Richard Layman
 
p.s. thanks for forwarding this email to the list...
From: KPW <WKPW3@aol.com>
To: concerned4DCPS@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2013 2:12 PM
Subject: [concerned4DCPS] Fwd: [ward5] Soundoff: Do you prefer or dislike the Stand-Alone School At South Point of Park for Middle School on Turkey Thicket grounds? Re: Which of the three Standalone options do you prefer for the TurkeyThicket/Brookland Middle School project? What revisions to the plans do you suggest?
 



-----Original Message----- From: Rob <indianrob@gmail.com> To: ward5 <ward5@yahoogroups.com>; Ward 5 Google Groups <wardfive@googlegroups.com> Sent: Wed, Mar 27, 2013 1:56 pm Subject: Re: [ward5] Soundoff: Do you prefer or dislike the Stand-Alone School At South Point of Park for Middle School on Turkey Thicket grounds? Re: Which of the three Standalone options do you prefer for the TurkeyThicket/Brookland Middle School project? What revisions to the plans do you suggest?
 
Mrs. KPW,
 
Let's not just like the idea, let's demand the undergrounding parking.  That frees up lots of space for above ground facilities.  Also, the parking should accomodate the school as well as the Rec. Center -- better facility brings more users of both and since this is an odd saped lot, there is no parking along Michigan, no parking along Perry and Shepherd is residential
 
2. Since this is going to be the site, WE as a community need to ITEMIZE all that is needed to make it work for both a State-of-the-Art Middle School Building as well as a State-of the-Art Recreational Site - one that is allowed to fully function as a Rec. Center without limitations from the School's Presence!! -- and the only way to do this is to keep control of the Rec. Center as Parks and Rec and have a proper MOU adopted by council.
Now as to the Budget -- SINCE they chose this site, they need to PROPERLY FUND the entire development -- that is -- if they are so interested in giving Ward 5 a middle school here. We should all demand that they give us the Proper BUDGET to do so -- which includes compensating us with underground parking for both the School and the Rec. Center to offset use of the REC. CENTER PROPERTY -- amortize the cost of the parking lot -- this is a building that will stand for 50 - 100 years
1. Now that we know that we have $50 Million for the School - said DGS Kenny DIGGS!
2. We have money for the Playground
3. Question asked -- How much money did we have in the Budget for Turkey Thicket -- Kenny Said he would get info for us.
*****We need to know how much money was allocated in the Budget to Turkey Thicket.*** This should give us $50 mil + Playground $$ + Turkey Thicket $$$ = ???? 
 
Then we can ask for added funds for building due to unecessary Stress and Confusion to the community along with the utilization of our space and time slots. 
 
Had we been informed about this Co-Location a long time ago, we could have really chose a different site and coordinated the entire Middle School issue without this stress.
Things that need to be:
1. We should be keeping the Middle School Site on the Current Brookland Elementary Site so that there won't be a transfer of the property to DCPS. We want to keep Rec. Center Property under the Rec. Center. At no point should the Rec. Center lose any property to the School and become a tennant. The footprint of the school can fit on the current site -- they just need to lease the use of the Rec. Center site so that we can have funds specified to Rec. Center Activities after school -- separate from our current share from Parks and Rec.
2. Prior to agreeing to this building -- we need proper MOU's that does not affect our usage too much and for the time that it does, we need to have access to the School's Gym, Auditoruim, and other aspects of the School Building -- THAT IS WHAT CO-USE is.
Design and Some Amenities (anyone one can ask for more)
1. Underground the parking for both facilities and either place the School above it or the Tennis Courts, Basketball Courts, Skateboarding area above -- underground the parking for both to create usable space.
2. The Football/Soccer field WITH A REAL TRACK surrounding should be separate.
a. Location could be where the current playground is and shown in their initial presentation.
b. Or better -- on the West side of the School when built on current school site.
3. Re-arrange and keep all that is currently being offerred to accomodate the Football, Soccer Field and Track with Jump Sites.
4. Get rid of Community Garden and put a Skatboarding area.
5. Place a bike riding path around site utilizing both locations.
6. ( additional stuff that can fit - like minature golf)
7. We need Solar Panels and a space on part of the roof to do green houses -- let the kids plant veges.
8. Solar Panel the Current Rec. Center so that we can power our own facilities and sell back to the grid.
9. Bike Racks at various points throughout both sites.
 
10.  Bleachers along our Football/Soccer and the Baseball Fields.
 
And whatever else others would want.
**** Concerned about kids crossing the drive area to utilize the fields and tennis courts -- then build a walk over or a walk under or simply use crosswalks ------this seems like a really crazy concern when kids are expected to catch the Metro to and from School but can't cross a drive in front of the school on school property during school with zero to no real vehicles and when teachers should be with them.
*** Since our kids don't have time for swimming, are they going to have time for football, soccer, tennis, baseball, etc? 
 
**I would expect that swimming should be on the table as well. So, make sure that this part of MOU does not affect our seniors.
 
**And if they won't be utilizing the baseball field, they won't be walking over to the south side.
**** If natural light is a concern for our kids -- put the classrooms on the eastern and south side of the building. Last I checked, they are out of school at 2:45pm
Add to list whatever else is needed.  I can help re-design to fit what we need and keep the School on the Current School Site.
 
Rob Ramson
On Wed, Mar 27, 2013 at 12:34 PM, KPW <WKPW3@aol.com> wrote:
 
I like the idea of parking under the building though it was stated that it would cost a tremendous amount of money.  Perhaps some of the surplus or speeding camera money can be used.  I look forward to learning more of your ideas, Rob, for producing a state of the art school somewhere on the Brookland/Turkey Thicket grounds.
parking under the building



-----Original Message----- From: Rob <indianrob@gmail.com> To: ward5 <ward5@yahoogroups.com>; Ward 5 Google Groups <wardfive@googlegroups.com> Sent: Wed, Mar 27, 2013 12:29 pm Subject: Re: [ward5] Soundoff: Do you prefer or dislike the Stand-Alone School At South Point of Park for Middle School on Turkey Thicket grounds? Re: Which of the three Standalone options do you prefer for the TurkeyThicket/Brookland Middle School project? What revisions to the plans do you suggest?
 
Hello Everyone,
 
Please pay attention to the fact that we don't want to lose Turkey Thicket as a Rec. Center under Parks and Rec control to DCPS.  By putting the building on the current Elementary site with parking under the building keeps them on their land and can have a MOU/lease to use the Rec. Center. Do not let Turkey Thicket become the Tennant.
 
Since they are forcing this on us, let's not settle for less than the optimum trade of space and use. I will share what my re-designing of the property would look like (in writing) later to best optimize space.  But they owe us a Parking lot and other things if they are to fit this on our Rec. Center Site.
 
Rob Ramson
On Wed, Mar 27, 2013 at 10:56 AM, KPW <WKPW3@aol.com> wrote:
 
Some want to be involved in the decision making and express support or opposition for particular options for the Brookland Middle School on the grounds of the Turkey Thicket Recreation Center/closed Brookland Elementary School.  So let's be open and discuss the concerns, advantages, disadvantages, issues for one option at a time:  Stand-Alone School At South Point of Park.

What do you think about this option?  Is there support for it?  What are the specific concerns and issues?  What suggestions are there to improve the design and functionality of the Stand-Alone School At South Point of Park option?  What does Ward 5 say and envision?  Who is taking the lead on ensuring that ideas, comments, concerns, and preferences get to the powers that be and are seriously considered:  Ward 5 Council on Education, Councilmember McDuffie, Ward 5 School Board representative, and/or others?

How does Ward 5 make this a school appreciated by all of Ward 5?  What is the feedback from Advisory Neighborhood Commissions?  (Does ANC 5A border this property in ANC 5B or is it in close proximity?  The redistricted ANC boundaries are not familiar to all yet.)  What do civic associations, business groups, community development corporations, parents-teachers associations and so forth have to say?  Are there any safeguards that need to be implemented for the immediate community, e.g., traffic calming measures?

As has been pointed out, this school is expected to serve the broader Ward 5, which may include but not limited to the following communities:

  • Brookland
  • Michigan Park
  • North Michigan Park
  • Queens Chapel
  • Ft. Totten
  • Pleasant Hills
  • Stronghold
  • Ivy City
  • Trinidad
  • Woodridge
  • South Woodridge
  • Ft. Lincoln
  • Gateway
  • Arboretum
  • Edgewood
  • Riggs Park

What are your views on "Arts" and Foreign Language as the theme/emphasis of the school?  Note that there is going to be a middle school at McKinleyin Eckington and one eventually at Brown in Carver-Terrace.

By the way, what will the school be named?  Brookland?  Or is there another name to suggest at this point?  Should the school be named in honor of someone else?  

Share your thoughts online so we all can be on the same page.  Specific concerns and preferences are needed.  Let's go for a strong collective voice for one option amended as needed and with the proper concerns and issues highlighted.

--KPW



Option I


-----Original Message----- From: KPW <wkpw3@aol.com> To: ward5 <ward5@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Tue, Mar 26, 2013 7:43 pm Subject: Which of the three Standalone options do you prefer for the TurkeyThicket/Brookland Middle School project? What revisions to the plans do you suggest?
Which of the three Standalone options do you prefer for the TurkeyThicket/Brookland Middle School project?  What revisions to the plans do you suggest?  Let your voice be heard as this project is now on the fast track.  Information is provided below to assist in your decision making and to contact the D.C. Department of General Services.  Note that the Ward 5 Council on Education has a prominent role in this project and may be a good resource for information and mobilization.  Additionally, Councilmember McDuffie has a leading role and Councilmember Orange attended the Saturday meeting.

KPW


Three options:

  1. Stand-Alone School At South Point of Park
  2. Stand-Alone School on Expanded Existing School Site
  3. Stand-Alone School on  Existing School Site


The options and the entire presentation made Saturday, March 23rd can be found at this link:



The three standalone options are also copied below for your convenience.

Option I



Option II


Option III




From the handout, here is a link with the options that have been considered.

http://www.slideshare.net/dgscomm/brookand-tt-community-meeting-slides-2013-0314




-----Original Message----- From: animalloverlover <animalloverlover@yahoo.com> To: ward5 <ward5@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Tue, Mar 26, 2013 6:06 pm Subject: [ward5] Is there interest in meeting regarding the TThicket/BMS project?
 
Everyone who has ventured an opinion on the proposed Brookland Middle School project has lifted valid concerns. I have yet to read a single pro or con that simply has no merit. Regardless, we are far, far away from an accord on how best to simultaneously satisfy the various civic interests. Any positive addition to our city's educational resources benefits all of us. On this point I feel confident that we all agree. It's my understanding that the Turkey Thicket location underwent complete due diligence regarding site selection. The matter now seems to be just how the school will be situated on the TT plat. When neighborhoods lack consensus on these types of important matters, elected officials must exhibit the primary reason for their having been so chosen: leadership ability. Is it possible for us to have a forum wherein parties may calmly and clearly register their opinions? I am calling on those of you who have talking relationships with the appropriate ANC commissioners and Messrs. Councilmembers McDuffie, Orange, and Grosso to implore them to hold an emergency meeting for citizen Brookland Middle School concerns. Perhaps our respective visions regarding the end product differ. However, if there is a single, common rallying point, then that may be the question of the speed at which things are progressing. There is ample time to prepare for the 2014 academic year. Inasmuch as these are issues that will affect us for generations, why can't we be more deliberate in our decision-making? Are there others who are also interested in meeting? Mark Williams
-- R. Ramson 3744 12th Street, N.E., Washington D.C., 20017 202-438-5988 "We must become the change we want to see" - Mohandas Gandhi- (Together, for a Brighter Tomorrow)  
-- R. Ramson 3744 12th Street, N.E., Washington D.C., 20017 202-438-5988 "We must become the change we want to see" - Mohandas Gandhi- (Together, for a Brighter Tomorrow)  

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--
R. Ramson
3744 12th Street, N.E.,
Washington D.C., 20017
202-438-5988

"We must become the change we want to see" - Mohandas Gandhi-
(Together, for a Brighter Tomorrow)




 

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