DCPS students shafted again - sign petition to keep Jelleff field public

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jelleff field is lighted, I believe. My child goes to Jelleff afterschool from Hardy and rarely gets access to the field. And when I come to pick him up the parking lot is full of range rovers and the like illegally parked blocked parked cars and making it very dangerous. The entitlement extends beyond the field itself, that's for sure.

My kid plays bball at Jelleff and I agree with this. Always high end car with Maret and other private school magnets (mostly MD plates) parked in the non parking lane with hazards as they are out of their car chatting it up.

[Anonymous]

No dog in this fight, but I’ve coached baseball in many different schools in DC. Jelleff was owned by the boys and girls club, the city bought the building and field in '08 or '09. There city didn't begin maintaining the building until then. The field was built, turfed, and maintained by Maret during the fall/spring according to the lease since then. The reason it's a 10-year lease is that 10 years is the lifecycle of the turf on the field. Maret uses the field until 6pm (unless there is a game being played, and Maret has earlier game start times than other teams in the league) Monday-Friday, 3 or 4 Saturdays a season. The British School uses the field during the weekdays until 330 pm on weekdays when the field is generally unused. The reason for this setup is to accommodate as many groups as possible including Stoddard, and Break-Out Lacrosse.

Furthermore, as someone who has extensive history with DPR's inability to maintain outdoor athletic facilities I know the city won't actually maintain the field space. I've spent countless hours prepping and maintaining public baseball fields like Banneker/Maury Wills, Ft. Reno, Friendship, Guy Mason, Hamilton (before it was turf) and Taft field. Every time the city loses one of it's public/private partnerships the facilities, and the children that year them, suffer. A recent and local example is the conditions that have deteriorated at Guy Mason since Georgetown Softball left.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No dog in this fight, but I’ve coached baseball in many different schools in DC. Jelleff was owned by the boys and girls club, the city bought the building and field in '08 or '09. There city didn't begin maintaining the building until then. The field was built, turfed, and maintained by Maret during the fall/spring according to the lease since then. The reason it's a 10-year lease is that 10 years is the lifecycle of the turf on the field. Maret uses the field until 6pm (unless there is a game being played, and Maret has earlier game start times than other teams in the league) Monday-Friday, 3 or 4 Saturdays a season. The British School uses the field during the weekdays until 330 pm on weekdays when the field is generally unused. The reason for this setup is to accommodate as many groups as possible including Stoddard, and Break-Out Lacrosse.

Furthermore, as someone who has extensive history with DPR's inability to maintain outdoor athletic facilities I know the city won't actually maintain the field space. I've spent countless hours prepping and maintaining public baseball fields like Banneker/Maury Wills, Ft. Reno, Friendship, Guy Mason, Hamilton (before it was turf) and Taft field. Every time the city loses one of it's public/private partnerships the facilities, and the children that year them, suffer. A recent and local example is the conditions that have deteriorated at Guy Mason since Georgetown Softball left.

If it were transferred to DCPS, then DGS would provide the maintenance. Not great, but perhaps better than DPR.

In any event, for after-school sports teams, a poorly maintained field is better than no field.

[Anonymous]

Recent posting from the local ANC rep, Kishan Putta. He’s also in the primary fight to succeed Jack Evans:

Nice talking with several of you tonight and in recent days -- Eric thank you for this followup on the BCA's meeting and resolutions.

Neighbors, these are very important issues to so many of you and to the ANC - and also as a matter of fundamental fairness and respect from our government. Here is a recent article on Jelleff/Ellington with more background: https://nwc.news/duke-ellington-field-transferred-to-dpr-without-community-input/

Monthly Conference Call - we will have our monthly pre-ANC-meeting call Wednesday, August 28 at 8:00pm. Dial 301-882-3582 to join the call. I will send a reminder next week. Our ANC meets on Tues, Sept 3.

On Jelleff, we asked DPR for their justification of their decision that flies in the face of our community's requests. All they would say is "it's in the interests of the people of DC." We strongly disagree - it appears very unfair - and we are working on a response. If you would like to share your opinions on Jelleff Field, in addition to emailing, please click here: https://forms.gle/MheaqLpqWPKSuJkbA

On Ellington Field:
We know how important this field is to our community. I and Commissioner Miller (cc'd) are currently drafting our ANC's resolution about Ellington Field (and Jelleff). We will circulate a draft in advance of our Sept 3 meeting and welcome your feedback. But if you have input now on Ellington Field, in addition to emailing, please click here: https://forms.gle/qCozKNPcAX2Ugpia8

We plan to push for the following, based on conversations with many of you (and hoping to get more input before our meeting):
-A community meeting ASAP - which we've been asking for since May when DPR first mentioned the possibility at the public meeting at the library. DPR needs to answer our questions and needs to hear our concerns;
-A detailed explanation of what the administrative change means and what their plans are;
-Responses to the community concerns about potential impacts.

For your information, Here is what DPR sent to us on Wednesday regarding Ellington:

DPR will issue a 30-day NOI for Ellington field and investigate the possibility of a usage study.

This response herein is DPR’s notice of intent to ANC2E that it is intending to work with DCPS to try to acquire administrative jurisdiction over Ellington Field for the purpose of administering use of the field to benefit the greater community through DPR’s permitting process. We expect to make a capital request to improve the field and any capital improvements would follow our established procedures to include community engagement meetings. It must be noted, that this administrative control of the field does not include a change in use and notice is not required. We are providing this notice at your request.

A request is on the table for DPR to participate in a meeting with neighbors regarding the transfer of Ellington field and future usage - we are waiting to receive a yes or a no from you.

We are still discussing this with the DCPS team, and want to make sure that we are not prematurely engaging the community. It’s important that when we meet with the community, we have information and progress that would be useful to the community. We will let you know when a decision is made by our team.

Neighbors, once again, these are very important issues to so many of you and to the ANC - and also as a matter of fundamental fairness and respect from our government.

We will keep fighting for you no matter what. And want to work together with you and the BCA and Hillandale and others - to push for our priorities and values.

Please contact me anytime with questions, concerns, or ideas.

Best,
Kishan Putta

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So DCPS gave DPR Duke Ellington field without public debate or vetting. So let's transfer Jelleff field from DPR to DCPS. Then Hardy, Duke Ellington, Stoddert, Hyde-Addison, Francis Stevens and any other nearby public school can use it.

DGS -- which manages DCPS and DPR property -- has been pushing for DPR to handle the permitting of all fields, DPR and DCPS, because DPR has a process and DCPS doesn't. Ellington hasn't been "given" to DPR, DPR has taken over the permitting. Since it's not used by the school all use is by permit.

How did DPR determine that the field wasn't being used by the school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So DCPS gave DPR Duke Ellington field without public debate or vetting. So let's transfer Jelleff field from DPR to DCPS. Then Hardy, Duke Ellington, Stoddert, Hyde-Addison, Francis Stevens and any other nearby public school can use it.

DGS -- which manages DCPS and DPR property -- has been pushing for DPR to handle the permitting of all fields, DPR and DCPS, because DPR has a process and DCPS doesn't. Ellington hasn't been "given" to DPR, DPR has taken over the permitting. Since it's not used by the school all use is by permit.

How did DPR determine that the field wasn't being used by the school?

Ellington doesn’t have any sports teams, since it’s an arts magnet. The only use is by the Ellington marching band during the sports seasons.

[Anonymous]

So Hardy can use the Ellington field. Problem solved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So Hardy can use the Ellington field. Problem solved.

As mentioned above, Hardy is not the only group wishing to share the Jelleff field.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kinda seems to me that a major issue is why Maret was the only player here. Was there some public notice inviting other offers despite the press about neighbors wanting to renegotiate the Maret exclusivity deal? Apparently not. The fact that there was no possibility for others to join in the negotiations sure stinks. The Mayor should open this up to get proposals from all .

Maret is the sole player because they got in ten years ago and are seeking to renew. Ten years ago there was no open bidding process, it was all negotiated in secrecy.

A lot of private schools need fields and would kill for this deal.

The overarching issue is that the city isn't negotiating with the best interests of the citizens in mind, but of Maret.

True. Lots of other schools and programs would offer more. But if the whole thing were done in the open and Hardy made a case for need, they'd get first dibs, then any remaining time Hardy and Jellef didn't need would be open to bidders. There was no bidding process here; there is no standard cost to lease or application process to get what Maret is getting.

You would think Maret could spare just one day for the public on the field, or install lights so the field could be used for evening practices! So greedy.

Jelleff has lights

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No dog in this fight, but I’ve coached baseball in many different schools in DC. Jelleff was owned by the boys and girls club, the city bought the building and field in '08 or '09. There city didn't begin maintaining the building until then. The field was built, turfed, and maintained by Maret during the fall/spring according to the lease since then. The reason it's a 10-year lease is that 10 years is the lifecycle of the turf on the field. Maret uses the field until 6pm (unless there is a game being played, and Maret has earlier game start times than other teams in the league) Monday-Friday, 3 or 4 Saturdays a season. The British School uses the field during the weekdays until 330 pm on weekdays when the field is generally unused. The reason for this setup is to accommodate as many groups as possible including Stoddard, and Break-Out Lacrosse.

Furthermore, as someone who has extensive history with DPR's inability to maintain outdoor athletic facilities I know the city won't actually maintain the field space. I've spent countless hours prepping and maintaining public baseball fields like Banneker/Maury Wills, Ft. Reno, Friendship, Guy Mason, Hamilton (before it was turf) and Taft field. Every time the city loses one of it's public/private partnerships the facilities, and the children that year them, suffer. A recent and local example is the conditions that have deteriorated at Guy Mason since Georgetown Softball left.

You've identified a big issue - what the city has done historically with maintaining field space. The city had these properties like Jellef for years that it did nothing with -- even though residents (public school children) could have used them back ten plus years ago. Private interest groups came in renovated properties to be usable in exchange for a use period plus an additional fee. The private interest group created the value on city property and now wants an extension. It's a tough issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No dog in this fight, but I’ve coached baseball in many different schools in DC. Jelleff was owned by the boys and girls club, the city bought the building and field in '08 or '09. There city didn't begin maintaining the building until then. The field was built, turfed, and maintained by Maret during the fall/spring according to the lease since then. The reason it's a 10-year lease is that 10 years is the lifecycle of the turf on the field. Maret uses the field until 6pm (unless there is a game being played, and Maret has earlier game start times than other teams in the league) Monday-Friday, 3 or 4 Saturdays a season. The British School uses the field during the weekdays until 330 pm on weekdays when the field is generally unused. The reason for this setup is to accommodate as many groups as possible including Stoddard, and Break-Out Lacrosse.

Furthermore, as someone who has extensive history with DPR's inability to maintain outdoor athletic facilities I know the city won't actually maintain the field space. I've spent countless hours prepping and maintaining public baseball fields like Banneker/Maury Wills, Ft. Reno, Friendship, Guy Mason, Hamilton (before it was turf) and Taft field. Every time the city loses one of it's public/private partnerships the facilities, and the children that year them, suffer. A recent and local example is the conditions that have deteriorated at Guy Mason since Georgetown Softball left.

You've identified a big issue - what the city has done historically with maintaining field space. The city had these properties like Jellef for years that it did nothing with -- even though residents (public school children) could have used them back ten plus years ago. Private interest groups came in renovated properties to be usable in exchange for a use period plus an additional fee. The private interest group created the value on city property and now wants an extension. It's a tough issue.

Except that doesn't sound like what's happening here, at all. It sounds like DC bought the field and then immediately leased it to Maret for 10 years at an incredibly cheap rate, on the "condition" that Maret do renovations that benefit only Maret. Basically DC bought a field for Maret.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So Hardy can use the Ellington field. Problem solved.

Under DC law, priority goes to DCPS and public charter schools, then to non-profits who serve principally (defined as 75% or more) DC youth. Once those groups have their needs met Maret can put in for what's left over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No dog in this fight, but I’ve coached baseball in many different schools in DC. Jelleff was owned by the boys and girls club, the city bought the building and field in '08 or '09. There city didn't begin maintaining the building until then. The field was built, turfed, and maintained by Maret during the fall/spring according to the lease since then. The reason it's a 10-year lease is that 10 years is the lifecycle of the turf on the field. Maret uses the field until 6pm (unless there is a game being played, and Maret has earlier game start times than other teams in the league) Monday-Friday, 3 or 4 Saturdays a season. [/b]The British School uses the field during the weekdays until 330 pm [b]on weekdays when the field is generally unused. The reason for this setup is to accommodate as many groups as possible including Stoddard, and Break-Out Lacrosse.

Furthermore, as someone who has extensive history with DPR's inability to maintain outdoor athletic facilities I know the city won't actually maintain the field space. I've spent countless hours prepping and maintaining public baseball fields like Banneker/Maury Wills, Ft. Reno, Friendship, Guy Mason, Hamilton (before it was turf) and Taft field. Every time the city loses one of it's public/private partnerships the facilities, and the children that year them, suffer. A recent and local example is the conditions that have deteriorated at Guy Mason since Georgetown Softball left.

So, wait. Who is the British school compensating for use of the field every school day? Is the city getting the money or is Maret raking it in? And how much are we talking? The plot thickens...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No dog in this fight, but I’ve coached baseball in many different schools in DC. Jelleff was owned by the boys and girls club, the city bought the building and field in '08 or '09. There city didn't begin maintaining the building until then. The field was built, turfed, and maintained by Maret during the fall/spring according to the lease since then. The reason it's a 10-year lease is that 10 years is the lifecycle of the turf on the field. Maret uses the field until 6pm (unless there is a game being played, and Maret has earlier game start times than other teams in the league) Monday-Friday, 3 or 4 Saturdays a season. The British School uses the field during the weekdays until 330 pm on weekdays when the field is generally unused. The reason for this setup is to accommodate as many groups as possible including Stoddard, and Break-Out Lacrosse.

Furthermore, as someone who has extensive history with DPR's inability to maintain outdoor athletic facilities I know the city won't actually maintain the field space. I've spent countless hours prepping and maintaining public baseball fields like Banneker/Maury Wills, Ft. Reno, Friendship, Guy Mason, Hamilton (before it was turf) and Taft field. Every time the city loses one of it's public/private partnerships the facilities, and the children that year them, suffer. A recent and local example is the conditions that have deteriorated at Guy Mason since Georgetown Softball left.

You've identified a big issue - what the city has done historically with maintaining field space. The city had these properties like Jellef for years that it did nothing with -- even though residents (public school children) could have used them back ten plus years ago. Private interest groups came in renovated properties to be usable in exchange for a use period plus an additional fee. The private interest group created the value on city property and now wants an extension. It's a tough issue.

Except that doesn't sound like what's happening here, at all. It sounds like DC bought the field and then immediately leased it to Maret for 10 years at an incredibly cheap rate, on the "condition" that Maret do renovations that benefit only Maret. Basically DC bought a field for Maret.

This deserves investigation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No dog in this fight, but I’ve coached baseball in many different schools in DC. Jelleff was owned by the boys and girls club, the city bought the building and field in '08 or '09. There city didn't begin maintaining the building until then. The field was built, turfed, and maintained by Maret during the fall/spring according to the lease since then. The reason it's a 10-year lease is that 10 years is the lifecycle of the turf on the field. Maret uses the field until 6pm (unless there is a game being played, and Maret has earlier game start times than other teams in the league) Monday-Friday, 3 or 4 Saturdays a season. The British School uses the field during the weekdays until 330 pm on weekdays when the field is generally unused. The reason for this setup is to accommodate as many groups as possible including Stoddard, and Break-Out Lacrosse.

Furthermore, as someone who has extensive history with DPR's inability to maintain outdoor athletic facilities I know the city won't actually maintain the field space. I've spent countless hours prepping and maintaining public baseball fields like Banneker/Maury Wills, Ft. Reno, Friendship, Guy Mason, Hamilton (before it was turf) and Taft field. Every time the city loses one of it's public/private partnerships the facilities, and the children that year them, suffer. A recent and local example is the conditions that have deteriorated at Guy Mason since Georgetown Softball left.

You've identified a big issue - what the city has done historically with maintaining field space. The city had these properties like Jellef for years that it did nothing with -- even though residents (public school children) could have used them back ten plus years ago. Private interest groups came in renovated properties to be usable in exchange for a use period plus an additional fee. The private interest group created the value on city property and now wants an extension. It's a tough issue.

Except that doesn't sound like what's happening here, at all. It sounds like DC bought the field and then immediately leased it to Maret for 10 years at an incredibly cheap rate, on the "condition" that Maret do renovations that benefit only Maret. Basically DC bought a field for Maret.

Bingo!