Murch- Getting screwed again?

[Anonymous]

Who IS the contractor? Let's hear more about them, and other jobs they've done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

+1. I am a Murch parent and I am dismayed at all the renovation debacle for the school. But I am even more dismayed at finding out how DCPS manages the process of renovating schools. These people manage hundreds of million our hard earned tax payer dollars and they appear to be a mix of inept and corrupt people, with the corruption at the very top (mayor). I cannot see otherwise how a contractor is selected among the bidders when the contractor does not agree to build within the budget. This is how Ellington went from $70Million to $200Million +. If you remodel your house and can spend X, would you select a contractor that, after bidding on the contract for that design at that price, tells you that actually it would cost much more, just pay up and be happy, or spend the same and have half the house remodeled?

[Anonymous]

The contractor is MCN. They've done a lot of DC charters and public schools. They do decent work. Not sure that they're the source of the problem tho. Seems to be a bigger systemic failure that encourages padded CYA cost projections. A lot also depends on the architect. There are just a lot of holes and blind spots in the system that are compounded by DGS outsourcing everything. And now that DCPS has decided to take charge of designing things, well...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The contractor is MCN. They've done a lot of DC charters and public schools. They do decent work. Not sure that they're the source of the problem tho. Seems to be a bigger systemic failure that encourages padded CYA cost projections. A lot also depends on the architect. There are just a lot of holes and blind spots in the system that are compounded by DGS outsourcing everything. And now that DCPS has decided to take charge of designing things, well...

Well, until this is figured out and Murch gets what it is promised I'm a fan of slinging the mud as far as it can go until it becomes clear who is as fault for this debacle. Why shouldn't MCN be scrutinized now? Also, whenever there is a big school renovation like this there is typically a website where you can see the plans and the contractors and architects are named. Does the Murch project have something like this or is it lacking that sort of transparency too?

[Anonymous]

Go to either dgs.dc.gov or dcps.dc.gov and search for Murch Elementary School Project. It shows how DGS spent many months and a lot of money (out of the school renovation budget) designing a school that fit the DC educational specs, restrictions from the National Park Service and the Historical Society, etc. only to throw out that process and are currently spending more money (out of the school renovation budget) to redesign the school. Very discouraging to say the least.

[Anonymous]

And on top of that none of the renovations involve a close look at demographics. It's a big time cluster.

[Anonymous]

Is it true that the architect for the Dule Ellington is Pei Cobb Freed? They're one of the most distinguished architectural firms in the country, perhaps globally. (Think IM Pei, and commissions like the National Gallery). They are also very expensive and design projects that are very costly. How did DC end up selecting and paying for Pei Cobb for Ellington, yet DC seems to be re-drafting the Murch plans on the fly and in a shoddy manner, to save a few bucks?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it true that the architect for the Dule Ellington is Pei Cobb Freed? They're one of the most distinguished architectural firms in the country, perhaps globally. (Think IM Pei, and commissions like the National Gallery). They are also very expensive and design projects that are very costly. How did DC end up selecting and paying for Pei Cobb for Ellington, yet DC seems to be re-drafting the Murch plans on the fly and in a shoddy manner, to save a few bucks?

Not true. Architect is this firm: http://cgsarchitects.com/project/duke-ellington-school-of-the-arts/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it true that the architect for the Dule Ellington is Pei Cobb Freed? They're one of the most distinguished architectural firms in the country, perhaps globally. (Think IM Pei, and commissions like the National Gallery). They are also very expensive and design projects that are very costly. How did DC end up selecting and paying for Pei Cobb for Ellington, yet DC seems to be re-drafting the Murch plans on the fly and in a shoddy manner, to save a few bucks?

Not true. Architect is this firm: http://cgsarchitects.com/project/duke-ellington-school-of-the-arts/

NP. I just googled Pei Cobb and Duke Ellington, and it sure looks like Pei Cobb is involved. A few of the hits.

https://issuu.com/lakishajohnson/docs/ellington_-_select_pages
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlTkqSNIe9k
https://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome-psyapi2&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8&q=%22duke%20ellington%22%20pei%20cobb&oq=%22duke%20ellington%22%20pei%20cobb&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS533US533&aqs=chrome..69i57.5490j0j4

Did Pei Cobb put all those YouTube videos and slick brochures together just to bid on a DCPS project?? The mind boggles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it true that the architect for the Dule Ellington is Pei Cobb Freed? They're one of the most distinguished architectural firms in the country, perhaps globally. (Think IM Pei, and commissions like the National Gallery). They are also very expensive and design projects that are very costly. How did DC end up selecting and paying for Pei Cobb for Ellington, yet DC seems to be re-drafting the Murch plans on the fly and in a shoddy manner, to save a few bucks?

Not true. Architect is this firm: http://cgsarchitects.com/project/duke-ellington-school-of-the-arts/

NP. I just googled Pei Cobb and Duke Ellington, and it sure looks like Pei Cobb is involved. A few of the hits.

https://issuu.com/lakishajohnson/docs/ellington_-_select_pages
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlTkqSNIe9k
https://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome-psyapi2&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8&q=%22duke%20ellington%22%20pei%20cobb&oq=%22duke%20ellington%22%20pei%20cobb&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS533US533&aqs=chrome..69i57.5490j0j4

Did Pei Cobb put all those YouTube videos and slick brochures together just to bid on a DCPS project?? The mind boggles.

Pei Cobb isnt' mentioned on either the DGS website or on Ellington page. There was a spirited competition to win the design - and Pei Cobb didn't get it. Was awarded to a joint venture bid - LBA/CGS JV Architects.

http://www.ellingtonschool.org/news/agreement-clears-way-for-ellington-school-project/
http://dgs.dc.gov/page/dgs-duke-ellington-school-for-the-arts-modernization-project
http://www.sigal.com/node/326

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it true that the architect for the Dule Ellington is Pei Cobb Freed? They're one of the most distinguished architectural firms in the country, perhaps globally. (Think IM Pei, and commissions like the National Gallery). They are also very expensive and design projects that are very costly. How did DC end up selecting and paying for Pei Cobb for Ellington, yet DC seems to be re-drafting the Murch plans on the fly and in a shoddy manner, to save a few bucks?

Not true. Architect is this firm: http://cgsarchitects.com/project/duke-ellington-school-of-the-arts/

NP. I just googled Pei Cobb and Duke Ellington, and it sure looks like Pei Cobb is involved. A few of the hits.

https://issuu.com/lakishajohnson/docs/ellington_-_select_pages
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlTkqSNIe9k
https://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome-psyapi2&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8&q=%22duke%20ellington%22%20pei%20cobb&oq=%22duke%20ellington%22%20pei%20cobb&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS533US533&aqs=chrome..69i57.5490j0j4

Did Pei Cobb put all those YouTube videos and slick brochures together just to bid on a DCPS project?? The mind boggles.

Pei Cobb isnt' mentioned on either the DGS website or on Ellington page. There was a spirited competition to win the design - and Pei Cobb didn't get it. Was awarded to a joint venture bid - LBA/CGS JV Architects.

http://www.ellingtonschool.org/news/agreement-clears-way-for-ellington-school-project/
http://dgs.dc.gov/page/dgs-duke-ellington-school-for-the-arts-modernization-project
http://www.sigal.com/node/326

The Pei Cobb links certainly look like they are involved in the project. Firms bid on projects all the time, but only real engagements tend to be shown on their websites. Perhaps the others are affiliated also -- in any big DC project, there are always small firms and "8a contractors" that expect a piece of the action.

[Anonymous]

Pei Cobb Freed for Ellington, and yet it seems that DCPS/DGS are using a junior draftsman to hack away at a new design for Murch!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it true that the architect for the Dule Ellington is Pei Cobb Freed? They're one of the most distinguished architectural firms in the country, perhaps globally. (Think IM Pei, and commissions like the National Gallery). They are also very expensive and design projects that are very costly. How did DC end up selecting and paying for Pei Cobb for Ellington, yet DC seems to be re-drafting the Murch plans on the fly and in a shoddy manner, to save a few bucks?

Not true. Architect is this firm: http://cgsarchitects.com/project/duke-ellington-school-of-the-arts/

NP. I just googled Pei Cobb and Duke Ellington, and it sure looks like Pei Cobb is involved. A few of the hits.

https://issuu.com/lakishajohnson/docs/ellington_-_select_pages
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlTkqSNIe9k
https://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome-psyapi2&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8&q=%22duke%20ellington%22%20pei%20cobb&oq=%22duke%20ellington%22%20pei%20cobb&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS533US533&aqs=chrome..69i57.5490j0j4

Did Pei Cobb put all those YouTube videos and slick brochures together just to bid on a DCPS project?? The mind boggles.

Pei Cobb isnt' mentioned on either the DGS website or on Ellington page. There was a spirited competition to win the design - and Pei Cobb didn't get it. Was awarded to a joint venture bid - LBA/CGS JV Architects.

http://www.ellingtonschool.org/news/agreement-clears-way-for-ellington-school-project/
http://dgs.dc.gov/page/dgs-duke-ellington-school-for-the-arts-modernization-project
http://www.sigal.com/node/326

The Pei Cobb links certainly look like they are involved in the project. Firms bid on projects all the time, but only real engagements tend to be shown on their websites. Perhaps the others are affiliated also -- in any big DC project, there are always small firms and "8a contractors" that expect a piece of the action.

The project isn't listed on the Pei Cobb website. Those links are from youtube.

[Anonymous]

If an 8a contractor is involved in the projects it's political window dressing and/or a share of the contracting spoils for the DC crony community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it true that the architect for the Dule Ellington is Pei Cobb Freed? They're one of the most distinguished architectural firms in the country, perhaps globally. (Think IM Pei, and commissions like the National Gallery). They are also very expensive and design projects that are very costly. How did DC end up selecting and paying for Pei Cobb for Ellington, yet DC seems to be re-drafting the Murch plans on the fly and in a shoddy manner, to save a few bucks?

Not true. Architect is this firm: http://cgsarchitects.com/project/duke-ellington-school-of-the-arts/

NP. I just googled Pei Cobb and Duke Ellington, and it sure looks like Pei Cobb is involved. A few of the hits.

https://issuu.com/lakishajohnson/docs/ellington_-_select_pages
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlTkqSNIe9k
https://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome-psyapi2&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8&q=%22duke%20ellington%22%20pei%20cobb&oq=%22duke%20ellington%22%20pei%20cobb&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS533US533&aqs=chrome..69i57.5490j0j4

Did Pei Cobb put all those YouTube videos and slick brochures together just to bid on a DCPS project?? The mind boggles.

Not so mind-boggling, actually; that is common practice in the architecture world for high-profile projects. There is another animation of the winning design for Ellington on the DGS website. Needless to say, there was no such thing for Murch. In fact, what really boggles the mind is how expert DGS/DCPS have been in screwing up the Murch project at every turn. At this point, nobody even knows what the school will look like. DC has never shown the SIT or the community what the interiors would look like. Sure doesn't look like this project will be ready to start construction in June.