Dear All,
It is with great urgency that I write to share both exciting and devastating news regarding the future of the historic Alexander Crummell School.
The great news is that there is finally an entity interested in carrying out the Ivy City community's vision for the creation of workforce development center at Crummell School. That entity is the Workplace DC Collaborative, a network of DC's most established adult education, job training and job placement nonprofits. Per the attached concept paper, these entities (such as Academy of Hope, Byte Back, Jubilee Jobs, etc) have come together to find a shared home and have agreed Crummell and the surrounding community would be a good fit.
This use is directly in keeping with the community's vision and would serve the great needs in the area (see attached fact sheet/need assessment), comply with the Comprehensive Plan [Action UNE-2.1.C: Crummell School Reuse - Rehabilitate the historic Crummell School for a community benefit use, such as adult education, a trade school, or art studio space.] as well as fulfill the legacy of the school's namesake, the Rev Dr Alexander Crummell – an abolitionist and educator who worked for the uplift of low income African Americans.
The very sad news is that Mayor Gray has authorized the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation to use the Crummell School lot for the relocation of Bolt Buses. This would bring 65+ buses to the community per day, contributing to pollution, traffic, and eroding quality of life. The Mayor recently erected a sign on the site saying "Coming Soon, Bolt Bus Depot" and has moved forward with these plans despite community opposition, lack of ANC input, and lack of Ward 5 Council representation. See the attached document outlining the city's plan to build a lounge for the Bus Drivers on the site. Also attached are letters of opposition from LISC DC, a second letter with a number of other organizations, and petitions against the plan with community signatures. ANC 5A passed a resolution opposing the plan this past weekend, as we have asked ANC 5C to include it on their agenda tomorrow night.
Thankfully, our new Ward 5 Councilman McDuffie has expressed his support for the residents and their alternate vision for the site. I write as a follow up to a meeting we had with the Councilman last week, during which he was pleased to hear about the multiple entities that have an interest in the restoration of Crummell for job training and recreation, not bus parking.
We request the following:
1) please immediately send a message to the Mayor urging him to halt the process of relocating Bolt Buses to the Crummell site. Messages can be sent to Mayor@dc.gov; eom@dc.gov and copied to the full Council {pmendelson@dccouncil.us; mbrown@dccouncil.us; vorange@dccouncil.us; dcatania@dccouncil.us; jgraham@dccouncil.us;jackevans@dccouncil.us; mcheh@dccouncil.us; mbowser@dccouncil.us; kmcduffie@dccouncil.us; twells@dccouncil.us; yalexander@dccouncil.us; mbarry@dccouncil.us}. Email me for suggested language if needed.
2) Please attend an emergency meeting about this issue in the community on Monday, July 126th at 6:30 PM, at Trinity Baptist Church, 1814 Central Pl, NE. Michael Durso of the Deputy Mayor's office and Eulois Cleckley of the Dept of Transportationhave confirmed their attendance. We need you there.
3) Please forward the action alert to your networks, which will include a link to an online petition against the Bolt Buses. I will send the alert to you under a separate email
4) Please participate in a meeting with Councilman McDuffie to discuss how we can make the Workplace DC a reality at Crummell School. I will work with the Councilman's office to schedule the meeting. For now please reply to me to indicate your interest in working with us moving forward
As the Councilman said, it's not over til it's over… and actually, this may be our chance to shine a bright light on this issue and finally move in the right direction for the community.
Feel free to contact me or Andria Swanson at (202) 234-9119 for more information or to discuss.
Many thanks,
Parisa Norouzi
Executive Director
Empower DC
(202) 234-9119 x 100
This message was sent to:
Ward 5 – Councilman McDuffie and Corey Griffin
Manna Inc - George Rothman
Mi Casa - Elin Zurbrigg & Fernando Lemos
DC Habitat for Humanity - Heather Phibbs
Workplace DC Collaborative - Marina Streznewski & Bob Wittig (Jovid Foundation)
Empower DC - Parisa Norouzi
Horning Family Foundation - Missy Young
Share Fund - Pamela Nash & Julie Jacobson
City First Enterprises - Dave Wilkinson
Stoiber & Associates Architects - Nicle Mroczkowski & Jeff Stoiber
Ivy City Civic Association - Andria Swanson & Rodney Glover
Coalition for Nonprofit Housing & Economic Development – Bob Pohlman
Local Initiatives Support Corporation DC – Marty Mellett & Ramon Jacobson
Attachments:
Ivy City Fact Sheet/Needs Assessment
Workplace DC Concept Paper
LISC Letter to Mayor re Bolt Buses
Empower DC/sign on letter to Mayor re Bolt Buses & Signed petitions against Bolt Buses
Union Station Bolt Bus Parking Plan
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