Murch- Getting screwed again?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's where DC's school renovation dollars are going. See the video about the lavish Duke Ellington

Just watched it. Looking at this video and thinking of the children at Murch in filthy conditions with rodents, insects, broken toilets etc. just makes my stomach turn.

+1000

[Anonymous]

For folks who said they wanted to help, this comes from the Murch HSA today:

Urgent Action on Renovation: Please Call the Mayor Today

The Mayor’s budget may be finalized as soon as Friday. So, we need as many people as possible to call the Mayor's office in the next few days. The number is 202-727-2643. Also, please call her Ward 3 Representatives in their office at 202-724-5534 or on their cells -- Mike Matthews (202-341-7706) and Ian Maggard (202-340-7853).

Here is an example of what you can say:
I’m calling about Murch Elementary School to ask that Mayor Bowser build the school that she promised.
We were told at multiple stages how much it would cost to build the school that meets our programmatic needs.
Now, after a flawed contracting process, we are now being told that the Bowser administration hired a builder that can’t deliver the design on budget.
We are calling to ask that Mayor Bowser either find the money for the project, or find a builder that can meet the budget.
Here are some of the issues with the latest design:
Our outdoor play space will be significantly reduced to make room for two parking lots.
Classroom sizes have been reduced.
There will be no space in the school large enough for a whole school assembly or meeting.
The cafeteria size has been reduced so that there will need to be four separate seatings in order to accommodate the entire school.

[Anonymous]

Don't most elementary schools need to have multiple seating sin the cafeteria? What is the problem. You just have a schedule and rotate every half hour from 11-1.

[Anonymous]

Also, it's not easy to build a space large enough for 700 kids, 500, maybe, but not 700. The boundaries should be moved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't most elementary schools need to have multiple seating sin the cafeteria? What is the problem. You just have a schedule and rotate every half hour from 11-1.

This is not about the size of a cafeteria. They have changed the size and location of the cafeteria three times the last 4 weeks. No one knows yet how the cafeteria problem will work out (but golly you make is sound so simple -- they should have paid you instead of the three architecture firms DC spent millions on who disagree with you).

No one knows what size the cafeteria will be at this point because they just can't make these last minute changes work -- every change hits some legal or agency block. (Trust me, this is not about parents; no one is listening to the parents.) They keep redesigning because they can't make any design other than the original one work. The restrictions on this construction are severe. That is why DC spent millions on multiple architects to get a workable design in the first place. Whoever decided to scrap it and try to redo it in a few weeks is ... I have no polite words for it, but it is a hideous waste of money to try to redesign this now. Every agency involved -- and there are a lot -- approved the design that the contractor -- MCN-- actually bid on.

You asked what't the problem? The problem is the lot and the size of the school. The problem is that the contractor is not being required to stick to the design they bid on that DC spent millions of dollars to create so they could squeeze 700 kids in this school. The problem is that PRICE was NOT a criteria for selecting the contractor (who does that?). The problem is that the contractor, I guess, expected DC to add to the budget just like every other renovation budget, whether it is needed or not. In fact, other contractors have said the original design can be built for the budget -- but the contractor asked for more money without providing justification for the increase (you should see what they claim the price per parking spot is!!!! exponentially more than any other similar project). Maybe the contractor wasn't expecting the mayor to say no. But instead of following through and making the contractor stick to the design at budget, the city is kow towing to the contractor and letting them cut their (inflated) losses by building a too-small building with inferior materials for an already increased budget! So the contractor keeps throwing out more and more ridiculously stupid designs (cafeteria in the middle of the early childhood wing -- really? Second grade lunch during PK nap time next door? Kitchen with no service access unless you cart the food through the library? Not enough classrooms for spec? No early childhood play space -- for $78 million dollars? Who is designing this circus? Each attempt is more ridiculous than the last. And they want MORE money for a worse design?)

People love to look at this problem and act like this is about whiny parents - DC and the contractor REALLY want you to think that because it plays right into their spin. If the kids are the greedy ones, then the really greedy people - the politicians and contractors -- don't have to change their ways and get fat and happy at the expense of DCPS students. This is the consequence of a messed up contracting system. I say thank goodness these parents have the guts to say No even at the risk of further delays to their own way-past-due renovation. Someone has to draw attention to what is going on with our taxpayer money in this contract process. No one should be happy with this city paying this much money and not getting a well-designed building that meets DCPS's education specifications for a school this big. No one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't most elementary schools need to have multiple seating sin the cafeteria? What is the problem. You just have a schedule and rotate every half hour from 11-1.

This is not about the size of a cafeteria. They have changed the size and location of the cafeteria three times the last 4 weeks. No one knows yet how the cafeteria problem will work out (but golly you make is sound so simple -- they should have paid you instead of the three architecture firms DC spent millions on who disagree with you).

No one knows what size the cafeteria will be at this point because they just can't make these last minute changes work -- every change hits some legal or agency block. (Trust me, this is not about parents; no one is listening to the parents.) They keep redesigning because they can't make any design other than the original one work. The restrictions on this construction are severe. That is why DC spent millions on multiple architects to get a workable design in the first place. Whoever decided to scrap it and try to redo it in a few weeks is ... I have no polite words for it, but it is a hideous waste of money to try to redesign this now. Every agency involved -- and there are a lot -- approved the design that the contractor -- MCN-- actually bid on.

You asked what't the problem? The problem is the lot and the size of the school. The problem is that the contractor is not being required to stick to the design they bid on that DC spent millions of dollars to create so they could squeeze 700 kids in this school. The problem is that PRICE was NOT a criteria for selecting the contractor (who does that?). The problem is that the contractor, I guess, expected DC to add to the budget just like every other renovation budget, whether it is needed or not. In fact, other contractors have said the original design can be built for the budget -- but the contractor asked for more money without providing justification for the increase (you should see what they claim the price per parking spot is!!!! exponentially more than any other similar project). Maybe the contractor wasn't expecting the mayor to say no. But instead of following through and making the contractor stick to the design at budget, the city is kow towing to the contractor and letting them cut their (inflated) losses by building a too-small building with inferior materials for an already increased budget! So the contractor keeps throwing out more and more ridiculously stupid designs (cafeteria in the middle of the early childhood wing -- really? Second grade lunch during PK nap time next door? Kitchen with no service access unless you cart the food through the library? Not enough classrooms for spec? No early childhood play space -- for $78 million dollars? Who is designing this circus? Each attempt is more ridiculous than the last. And they want MORE money for a worse design?)

People love to look at this problem and act like this is about whiny parents - DC and the contractor REALLY want you to think that because it plays right into their spin. If the kids are the greedy ones, then the really greedy people - the politicians and contractors -- don't have to change their ways and get fat and happy at the expense of DCPS students. This is the consequence of a messed up contracting system. I say thank goodness these parents have the guts to say No even at the risk of further delays to their own way-past-due renovation. Someone has to draw attention to what is going on with our taxpayer money in this contract process. No one should be happy with this city paying this much money and not getting a well-designed building that meets DCPS's education specifications for a school this big. No one.

+1000

[Anonymous]

I called the mayor's office yesterday asking that the Murch renovation be fully funded. I live in Ward 3 but Murch is not my inbound school. I will try to call the other numbers tomorrow. This process has been disgraceful.

[Anonymous]

^^ +1000

[Anonymous]

23:13 said it all. This whole process has been a total debacle. People should be outraged at the way their tax dollars are being squandered.

[Anonymous]

^ sorry, 23:06 said it all

[Anonymous]

Beyond shameful. There must be some word to describe beyond shameful. Anyway, that's what it is.

[Anonymous]

If only there was a nearby, brand new elementary school that could accommodate another 100+ IB students and also be very convenient to parents commuting downtown. Thus, allowing a smaller Murch renovation, requiring fewer teachers and less parking, and swinging on site saving the taxpayers millions of dollars. If only.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't most elementary schools need to have multiple seating sin the cafeteria? What is the problem. You just have a schedule and rotate every half hour from 11-1.

This is not about the size of a cafeteria. They have changed the size and location of the cafeteria three times the last 4 weeks. No one knows yet how the cafeteria problem will work out (but golly you make is sound so simple -- they should have paid you instead of the three architecture firms DC spent millions on who disagree with you).

No one knows what size the cafeteria will be at this point because they just can't make these last minute changes work -- every change hits some legal or agency block. (Trust me, this is not about parents; no one is listening to the parents.) They keep redesigning because they can't make any design other than the original one work. The restrictions on this construction are severe. That is why DC spent millions on multiple architects to get a workable design in the first place. Whoever decided to scrap it and try to redo it in a few weeks is ... I have no polite words for it, but it is a hideous waste of money to try to redesign this now. Every agency involved -- and there are a lot -- approved the design that the contractor -- MCN-- actually bid on.

You asked what't the problem? The problem is the lot and the size of the school. The problem is that the contractor is not being required to stick to the design they bid on that DC spent millions of dollars to create so they could squeeze 700 kids in this school. The problem is that PRICE was NOT a criteria for selecting the contractor (who does that?). The problem is that the contractor, I guess, expected DC to add to the budget just like every other renovation budget, whether it is needed or not. In fact, other contractors have said the original design can be built for the budget -- but the contractor asked for more money without providing justification for the increase (you should see what they claim the price per parking spot is!!!! exponentially more than any other similar project). Maybe the contractor wasn't expecting the mayor to say no. But instead of following through and making the contractor stick to the design at budget, the city is kow towing to the contractor and letting them cut their (inflated) losses by building a too-small building with inferior materials for an already increased budget! So the contractor keeps throwing out more and more ridiculously stupid designs (cafeteria in the middle of the early childhood wing -- really? Second grade lunch during PK nap time next door? Kitchen with no service access unless you cart the food through the library? Not enough classrooms for spec? No early childhood play space -- for $78 million dollars? Who is designing this circus? Each attempt is more ridiculous than the last. And they want MORE money for a worse design?)

People love to look at this problem and act like this is about whiny parents - DC and the contractor REALLY want you to think that because it plays right into their spin. If the kids are the greedy ones, then the really greedy people - the politicians and contractors -- don't have to change their ways and get fat and happy at the expense of DCPS students. This is the consequence of a messed up contracting system. I say thank goodness these parents have the guts to say No even at the risk of further delays to their own way-past-due renovation. Someone has to draw attention to what is going on with our taxpayer money in this contract process. No one should be happy with this city paying this much money and not getting a well-designed building that meets DCPS's education specifications for a school this big. No one.

So what is the solution then, at this point?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't most elementary schools need to have multiple seating sin the cafeteria? What is the problem. You just have a schedule and rotate every half hour from 11-1.

This is not about the size of a cafeteria. They have changed the size and location of the cafeteria three times the last 4 weeks. No one knows yet how the cafeteria problem will work out (but golly you make is sound so simple -- they should have paid you instead of the three architecture firms DC spent millions on who disagree with you).

No one knows what size the cafeteria will be at this point because they just can't make these last minute changes work -- every change hits some legal or agency block. (Trust me, this is not about parents; no one is listening to the parents.) They keep redesigning because they can't make any design other than the original one work. The restrictions on this construction are severe. That is why DC spent millions on multiple architects to get a workable design in the first place. Whoever decided to scrap it and try to redo it in a few weeks is ... I have no polite words for it, but it is a hideous waste of money to try to redesign this now. Every agency involved -- and there are a lot -- approved the design that the contractor -- MCN-- actually bid on.

You asked what't the problem? The problem is the lot and the size of the school. The problem is that the contractor is not being required to stick to the design they bid on that DC spent millions of dollars to create so they could squeeze 700 kids in this school. The problem is that PRICE was NOT a criteria for selecting the contractor (who does that?). The problem is that the contractor, I guess, expected DC to add to the budget just like every other renovation budget, whether it is needed or not. In fact, other contractors have said the original design can be built for the budget -- but the contractor asked for more money without providing justification for the increase (you should see what they claim the price per parking spot is!!!! exponentially more than any other similar project). Maybe the contractor wasn't expecting the mayor to say no. But instead of following through and making the contractor stick to the design at budget, the city is kow towing to the contractor and letting them cut their (inflated) losses by building a too-small building with inferior materials for an already increased budget! So the contractor keeps throwing out more and more ridiculously stupid designs (cafeteria in the middle of the early childhood wing -- really? Second grade lunch during PK nap time next door? Kitchen with no service access unless you cart the food through the library? Not enough classrooms for spec? No early childhood play space -- for $78 million dollars? Who is designing this circus? Each attempt is more ridiculous than the last. And they want MORE money for a worse design?)

People love to look at this problem and act like this is about whiny parents - DC and the contractor REALLY want you to think that because it plays right into their spin. If the kids are the greedy ones, then the really greedy people - the politicians and contractors -- don't have to change their ways and get fat and happy at the expense of DCPS students. This is the consequence of a messed up contracting system. I say thank goodness these parents have the guts to say No even at the risk of further delays to their own way-past-due renovation. Someone has to draw attention to what is going on with our taxpayer money in this contract process. No one should be happy with this city paying this much money and not getting a well-designed building that meets DCPS's education specifications for a school this big. No one.

Thank you for this. The bolded part is absolutely key--this is what they can't get away with. It's truly shameful.

[Anonymous]

In addition to pressuring the DC government (mayor's office on down) has the Murch community reached out directly to the contractor? I think a putting pressure on the contractor to justify their bait and switch and why they are holding a school hostage is a worthwhile step. Hit them where it hurts...reputation (which equates to dollars).