New school at Van Ness bigger than Wilson?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The restrictions on UDC for school related traffic are strict and there was a lot of negotiating just to get Murch to swing in that location for two years, mostly due to traffic (which is why Murch has to bus kids from eight block away). The ANC, etc. look at schools very differently than an office building. It is a different kind, pattern, and volume of traffic.

The truth is that everyone wishes that UDC would pack up and move away from the neighborhood. It's such a downer on commercial activity, etc. It would be better if UDC relocated to a more central location closer to where more of its students live. Imagine how the UDC campus could be redeveloped for housing, commercial, a school site, recreation. I've also wondered why the neighborhood doesn't get the Metro renamed "Forest Hills," which sounds so much more pleasant than "Van Ness-UDC." The latter is not a neighborhood.

People may disagree with this poster's bluntness, but the fact remains that the UDC campus is a brutalist ghost town at pretty much all times (Murch's swing space pretty much quadrupled the foot traffic in the area, but that will be going away after June). The city needs to rethink the space, because it could be used so much more efficiently. UDC's footprint either should be reduced (in no way does it need all of that space) -- so that the campus shares space with commercial and residential development -- or moved altogether to a more central location.

Of course, this will never happen because UDC -- now little more than a glorified community college -- is so politically entrenched.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The restrictions on UDC for school related traffic are strict and there was a lot of negotiating just to get Murch to swing in that location for two years, mostly due to traffic (which is why Murch has to bus kids from eight block away). The ANC, etc. look at schools very differently than an office building. It is a different kind, pattern, and volume of traffic.

The truth is that everyone wishes that UDC would pack up and move away from the neighborhood. It's such a downer on commercial activity, etc. It would be better if UDC relocated to a more central location closer to where more of its students live. Imagine how the UDC campus could be redeveloped for housing, commercial, a school site, recreation. I've also wondered why the neighborhood doesn't get the Metro renamed "Forest Hills," which sounds so much more pleasant than "Van Ness-UDC." The latter is not a neighborhood.

People may disagree with this poster's bluntness, but the fact remains that the UDC campus is a brutalist ghost town at pretty much all times (Murch's swing space pretty much quadrupled the foot traffic in the area, but that will be going away after June). The city needs to rethink the space, because it could be used so much more efficiently. UDC's footprint either should be reduced (in no way does it need all of that space) -- so that the campus shares space with commercial and residential development -- or moved altogether to a more central location.

Of course, this will never happen because UDC -- now little more than a glorified community college -- is so politically entrenched.

Is it even accredited?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The restrictions on UDC for school related traffic are strict and there was a lot of negotiating just to get Murch to swing in that location for two years, mostly due to traffic (which is why Murch has to bus kids from eight block away). The ANC, etc. look at schools very differently than an office building. It is a different kind, pattern, and volume of traffic.

The truth is that everyone wishes that UDC would pack up and move away from the neighborhood. It's such a downer on commercial activity, etc. It would be better if UDC relocated to a more central location closer to where more of its students live. Imagine how the UDC campus could be redeveloped for housing, commercial, a school site, recreation. I've also wondered why the neighborhood doesn't get the Metro renamed "Forest Hills," which sounds so much more pleasant than "Van Ness-UDC." The latter is not a neighborhood.

People may disagree with this poster's bluntness, but the fact remains that the UDC campus is a brutalist ghost town at pretty much all times (Murch's swing space pretty much quadrupled the foot traffic in the area, but that will be going away after June). The city needs to rethink the space, because it could be used so much more efficiently. UDC's footprint either should be reduced (in no way does it need all of that space) -- so that the campus shares space with commercial and residential development -- or moved altogether to a more central location.

Of course, this will never happen because UDC -- now little more than a glorified community college -- is so politically entrenched.

Is it even accredited?

Yes. And actually the campus is pretty cool and they offer a lot to the community. Don't put it down until you've been over there and interacted with the school. They are actually doing some pretty amazing work.

And developer trolls, keep off!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The truth is that everyone wishes that UDC would pack up and move away from the neighborhood. It's such a downer on commercial activity, etc. It would be better if UDC relocated to a more central location closer to where more of its students live. Imagine how the UDC campus could be redeveloped for housing, commercial, a school site, recreation. I've also wondered why the neighborhood doesn't get the Metro renamed "Forest Hills," which sounds so much more pleasant than "Van Ness-UDC." The latter is not a neighborhood.

Translation: I wish the small school that has all of the students of color would relocate to some other neighborhood so new shiny things could be in our neighborhood.

BINGO.

Mayor Anthony Williams himself proposed relocating UDC to Southwest or Southeast and selling the Van Ness campus for redevelopment. He reasoned that it would result in full funding of a new modern campus in more accessible location for most of its student body.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The restrictions on UDC for school related traffic are strict and there was a lot of negotiating just to get Murch to swing in that location for two years, mostly due to traffic (which is why Murch has to bus kids from eight block away). The ANC, etc. look at schools very differently than an office building. It is a different kind, pattern, and volume of traffic.

The truth is that everyone wishes that UDC would pack up and move away from the neighborhood. It's such a downer on commercial activity, etc. It would be better if UDC relocated to a more central location closer to where more of its students live. Imagine how the UDC campus could be redeveloped for housing, commercial, a school site, recreation. I've also wondered why the neighborhood doesn't get the Metro renamed "Forest Hills," which sounds so much more pleasant than "Van Ness-UDC." The latter is not a neighborhood.

People may disagree with this poster's bluntness, but the fact remains that the UDC campus is a brutalist ghost town at pretty much all times (Murch's swing space pretty much quadrupled the foot traffic in the area, but that will be going away after June). The city needs to rethink the space, because it could be used so much more efficiently. UDC's footprint either should be reduced (in no way does it need all of that space) -- so that the campus shares space with commercial and residential development -- or moved altogether to a more central location.

Of course, this will never happen because UDC -- now little more than a glorified community college -- is so politically entrenched.

Is it even accredited?

Yes. And actually the campus is pretty cool and they offer a lot to the community. Don't put it down until you've been over there and interacted with the school. They are actually doing some pretty amazing work.

And developer trolls, keep off!

With the exception of its student center, UDC is a monument to Brutalist architecture and may be even uglier than the Hoover FBI building.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The restrictions on UDC for school related traffic are strict and there was a lot of negotiating just to get Murch to swing in that location for two years, mostly due to traffic (which is why Murch has to bus kids from eight block away). The ANC, etc. look at schools very differently than an office building. It is a different kind, pattern, and volume of traffic.

The truth is that everyone wishes that UDC would pack up and move away from the neighborhood. It's such a downer on commercial activity, etc. It would be better if UDC relocated to a more central location closer to where more of its students live. Imagine how the UDC campus could be redeveloped for housing, commercial, a school site, recreation. I've also wondered why the neighborhood doesn't get the Metro renamed "Forest Hills," which sounds so much more pleasant than "Van Ness-UDC." The latter is not a neighborhood.

People may disagree with this poster's bluntness, but the fact remains that the UDC campus is a brutalist ghost town at pretty much all times (Murch's swing space pretty much quadrupled the foot traffic in the area, but that will be going away after June). The city needs to rethink the space, because it could be used so much more efficiently. UDC's footprint either should be reduced (in no way does it need all of that space) -- so that the campus shares space with commercial and residential development -- or moved altogether to a more central location.

Of course, this will never happen because UDC -- now little more than a glorified community college -- is so politically entrenched.

Is it even accredited?

Yes. And actually the campus is pretty cool and they offer a lot to the community. Don't put it down until you've been over there and interacted with the school. They are actually doing some pretty amazing work.

And developer trolls, keep off!

My interactions are limited to cutting through the campus, including the buildings, to drop off/pick up my kid at Murch. I would do more interacting with UDC students/staff if there were any to be found.

The shiny new student center that cost millions: nearly empty at all times.

Academic buildings: nearly empty at all times.

That big ugly mass of concrete at the center of campus: completely empty at all times.

If it's not the most depressing college campus in America, it has to be right up there.

And ask any Murch parent/staff member about how UDC has gone to great lengths to make this temporary arrangement as uncomfortable as possible. "They offer a lot to the community," my ass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The restrictions on UDC for school related traffic are strict and there was a lot of negotiating just to get Murch to swing in that location for two years, mostly due to traffic (which is why Murch has to bus kids from eight block away). The ANC, etc. look at schools very differently than an office building. It is a different kind, pattern, and volume of traffic.

The truth is that everyone wishes that UDC would pack up and move away from the neighborhood. It's such a downer on commercial activity, etc. It would be better if UDC relocated to a more central location closer to where more of its students live. Imagine how the UDC campus could be redeveloped for housing, commercial, a school site, recreation. I've also wondered why the neighborhood doesn't get the Metro renamed "Forest Hills," which sounds so much more pleasant than "Van Ness-UDC." The latter is not a neighborhood.

People may disagree with this poster's bluntness, but the fact remains that the UDC campus is a brutalist ghost town at pretty much all times (Murch's swing space pretty much quadrupled the foot traffic in the area, but that will be going away after June). The city needs to rethink the space, because it could be used so much more efficiently. UDC's footprint either should be reduced (in no way does it need all of that space) -- so that the campus shares space with commercial and residential development -- or moved altogether to a more central location.

Of course, this will never happen because UDC -- now little more than a glorified community college -- is so politically entrenched.

Aren't there local politicians who still propose to rename UDC as "Marion Barry University of the District of Columbia"? You can't make this stuff up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The restrictions on UDC for school related traffic are strict and there was a lot of negotiating just to get Murch to swing in that location for two years, mostly due to traffic (which is why Murch has to bus kids from eight block away). The ANC, etc. look at schools very differently than an office building. It is a different kind, pattern, and volume of traffic.

The truth is that everyone wishes that UDC would pack up and move away from the neighborhood. It's such a downer on commercial activity, etc. It would be better if UDC relocated to a more central location closer to where more of its students live. Imagine how the UDC campus could be redeveloped for housing, commercial, a school site, recreation. I've also wondered why the neighborhood doesn't get the Metro renamed "Forest Hills," which sounds so much more pleasant than "Van Ness-UDC." The latter is not a neighborhood.

People may disagree with this poster's bluntness, but the fact remains that the UDC campus is a brutalist ghost town at pretty much all times (Murch's swing space pretty much quadrupled the foot traffic in the area, but that will be going away after June). The city needs to rethink the space, because it could be used so much more efficiently. UDC's footprint either should be reduced (in no way does it need all of that space) -- so that the campus shares space with commercial and residential development -- or moved altogether to a more central location.

Of course, this will never happen because UDC -- now little more than a glorified community college -- is so politically entrenched.

You had me until the word "glorified."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know anything about this planned Chinese school at the old Intelsat Building? https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/private-school-with-global-ambition-to-open-in-dc-and-china-in-2019/2018/02/07/c101aaa2-0b4b-11e8-95a5-c396801049ef_story.html?utm_term=.6d343dc406e9

According to the developer, adding this boarding school for 2,500 students in Van Ness is a "done deal" to open in September 2019. This will be the biggest school int the city in an already saturated neighborhood with terrible traffic issues, so I am curious about why there has been no discussion in the ANC? Has the City Council addressed this?

it will take YEARS to get to 2500 students. I suspect this will mainly appeal to chinese diplomatic community for their kids. Schools are by right uses.

[Anonymous]

In commercial zones, private schools are by-right. Most private schools are located in residential zones because the land is so much cheaper. Private schools can locate in residential zones if they get a zoning variance, and they have to demonstrate no negative impacts on the neighbors. This is where most schools get the pinata treatment from their neighbors.

I assume Intelsat is zoned commercial. In which case there would not need to be any neighborhood approval for a school to open there.

Universities have to have an approved campus plan, a completely different process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know anything about this planned Chinese school at the old Intelsat Building? https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/private-school-with-global-ambition-to-open-in-dc-and-china-in-2019/2018/02/07/c101aaa2-0b4b-11e8-95a5-c396801049ef_story.html?utm_term=.6d343dc406e9

According to the developer, adding this boarding school for 2,500 students in Van Ness is a "done deal" to open in September 2019. This will be the biggest school int the city in an already saturated neighborhood with terrible traffic issues, so I am curious about why there has been no discussion in the ANC? Has the City Council addressed this?

it will take YEARS to get to 2500 students. I suspect this will mainly appeal to chinese diplomatic community for their kids. Schools are by right uses.

The Chinese government is cheap as f#ck. The embassy staff send their kids to DC public schools. Go to Hardy MS during the morning drop-off.....lots of Chinese kids wandering onto the campus (they walk from their apartments on Wisconsin Ave).

This school is for the children of wealthy Chinese oligarchs and descendants from the Communist Party elite families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know anything about this planned Chinese school at the old Intelsat Building? https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/private-school-with-global-ambition-to-open-in-dc-and-china-in-2019/2018/02/07/c101aaa2-0b4b-11e8-95a5-c396801049ef_story.html?utm_term=.6d343dc406e9

According to the developer, adding this boarding school for 2,500 students in Van Ness is a "done deal" to open in September 2019. This will be the biggest school int the city in an already saturated neighborhood with terrible traffic issues, so I am curious about why there has been no discussion in the ANC? Has the City Council addressed this?

it will take YEARS to get to 2500 students. I suspect this will mainly appeal to chinese diplomatic community for their kids. Schools are by right uses.

The Chinese government is cheap as f#ck. The embassy staff send their kids to DC public schools. Go to Hardy MS during the morning drop-off.....lots of Chinese kids wandering onto the campus (they walk from their apartments on Wisconsin Ave).

This school is for the children of wealthy Chinese oligarchs and descendants from the Communist Party elite families.

Perhaps. But tons of students are coming to the US from China. I was in a small town in Maine of all places and the local boarding school was full of them. The convenience store across the street had signs in Chinese.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The restrictions on UDC for school related traffic are strict and there was a lot of negotiating just to get Murch to swing in that location for two years, mostly due to traffic (which is why Murch has to bus kids from eight block away). The ANC, etc. look at schools very differently than an office building. It is a different kind, pattern, and volume of traffic.

The truth is that everyone wishes that UDC would pack up and move away from the neighborhood. It's such a downer on commercial activity, etc. It would be better if UDC relocated to a more central location closer to where more of its students live. Imagine how the UDC campus could be redeveloped for housing, commercial, a school site, recreation. I've also wondered why the neighborhood doesn't get the Metro renamed "Forest Hills," which sounds so much more pleasant than "Van Ness-UDC." The latter is not a neighborhood.

No, "everyone" doesn't wish this at all. I live in AU Park and have taken classes at UDC. It's great to have it right in the neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The restrictions on UDC for school related traffic are strict and there was a lot of negotiating just to get Murch to swing in that location for two years, mostly due to traffic (which is why Murch has to bus kids from eight block away). The ANC, etc. look at schools very differently than an office building. It is a different kind, pattern, and volume of traffic.

The truth is that everyone wishes that UDC would pack up and move away from the neighborhood. It's such a downer on commercial activity, etc. It would be better if UDC relocated to a more central location closer to where more of its students live. Imagine how the UDC campus could be redeveloped for housing, commercial, a school site, recreation. I've also wondered why the neighborhood doesn't get the Metro renamed "Forest Hills," which sounds so much more pleasant than "Van Ness-UDC." The latter is not a neighborhood.

People may disagree with this poster's bluntness, but the fact remains that the UDC campus is a brutalist ghost town at pretty much all times (Murch's swing space pretty much quadrupled the foot traffic in the area, but that will be going away after June). The city needs to rethink the space, because it could be used so much more efficiently. UDC's footprint either should be reduced (in no way does it need all of that space) -- so that the campus shares space with commercial and residential development -- or moved altogether to a more central location.

Of course, this will never happen because UDC -- now little more than a glorified community college -- is so politically entrenched.

Is it even accredited?

Yes. And actually the campus is pretty cool and they offer a lot to the community. Don't put it down until you've been over there and interacted with the school. They are actually doing some pretty amazing work.

And developer trolls, keep off!

My interactions are limited to cutting through the campus, including the buildings, to drop off/pick up my kid at Murch. I would do more interacting with UDC students/staff if there were any to be found.

The shiny new student center that cost millions: nearly empty at all times.

Academic buildings: nearly empty at all times.

That big ugly mass of concrete at the center of campus: completely empty at all times.

If it's not the most depressing college campus in America, it has to be right up there.

And ask any Murch parent/staff member about how UDC has gone to great lengths to make this temporary arrangement as uncomfortable as possible. "They offer a lot to the community," my ass.

Not true at all. The new student center is fantastic and has a beautiful gym/ fitness center that will soon be open to public memberships.

Sorry, no sympathy for the Murch parents who are fleecing the city for their own beautiful new school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The restrictions on UDC for school related traffic are strict and there was a lot of negotiating just to get Murch to swing in that location for two years, mostly due to traffic (which is why Murch has to bus kids from eight block away). The ANC, etc. look at schools very differently than an office building. It is a different kind, pattern, and volume of traffic.

The truth is that everyone wishes that UDC would pack up and move away from the neighborhood. It's such a downer on commercial activity, etc. It would be better if UDC relocated to a more central location closer to where more of its students live. Imagine how the UDC campus could be redeveloped for housing, commercial, a school site, recreation. I've also wondered why the neighborhood doesn't get the Metro renamed "Forest Hills," which sounds so much more pleasant than "Van Ness-UDC." The latter is not a neighborhood.

People may disagree with this poster's bluntness, but the fact remains that the UDC campus is a brutalist ghost town at pretty much all times (Murch's swing space pretty much quadrupled the foot traffic in the area, but that will be going away after June). The city needs to rethink the space, because it could be used so much more efficiently. UDC's footprint either should be reduced (in no way does it need all of that space) -- so that the campus shares space with commercial and residential development -- or moved altogether to a more central location.

Of course, this will never happen because UDC -- now little more than a glorified community college -- is so politically entrenched.

Is it even accredited?

Yes. And actually the campus is pretty cool and they offer a lot to the community. Don't put it down until you've been over there and interacted with the school. They are actually doing some pretty amazing work.

And developer trolls, keep off!

My interactions are limited to cutting through the campus, including the buildings, to drop off/pick up my kid at Murch. I would do more interacting with UDC students/staff if there were any to be found.

The shiny new student center that cost millions: nearly empty at all times.

Academic buildings: nearly empty at all times.

That big ugly mass of concrete at the center of campus: completely empty at all times.

If it's not the most depressing college campus in America, it has to be right up there.

And ask any Murch parent/staff member about how UDC has gone to great lengths to make this temporary arrangement as uncomfortable as possible. "They offer a lot to the community," my ass.

Not true at all. The new student center is fantastic and has a beautiful gym/ fitness center that will soon be open to public memberships.

Sorry, no sympathy for the Murch parents who are fleecing the city for their own beautiful new school.

"Fleecing the city"?! At least Murch students all live (or are supposed to live) in DC. Now, Duke Ellington's renovation, that's fleecing the city -- and for a student population that includes a lot of Maryland residents.