Murch- Getting screwed again?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Those are just proposals, not what is actually being built. A lot of work went into that video, so, sure, Pei/Cobb is not going to put it in a drawer. It's a terrific marketing tool for their portfolio. Look at any architecture firm's website -- they often show projects they designed but were never built just strut their stuff.

[Anonymous]

If you're one of the hundreds of community members who called the mayor last week to ask that her administration fully fund the Murch modernization, what was your experience? Did you talk to a human and what did they say? I heard that their office was overwhelmed and the mayor's voice mailbox was full. Someone else said they got referred to the Dep. Mayor for Education.

[Anonymous]

I called and spoke with someone in the mayor's office who took my message and contact information. I got voicemail for the two ward 3 reps and left a message. Neither called me back, although I didn't really expect them to.

My husband called and was told to send an email to the Deputy Mayor for Education.

[Anonymous]

I called the Mayor's office twice. The first time I was told to contact David Grosso's office. The second time I was told to send an email to the Deputy Mayor of Education.

I did manage to reach one of the Ward 3 guys and he said I was one of at least a hundred people who had called that day alone.

[Anonymous]

Where is Professor Cheh in all this? She can talk the talk but can she walk the walk? In other words, can she get the job done for her Murch constituents ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I called the Mayor's office twice. The first time I was told to contact David Grosso's office. The second time I was told to send an email to the Deputy Mayor of Education.

I did manage to reach one of the Ward 3 guys and he said I was one of at least a hundred people who had called that day alone.

Telling you to call Councilmember David Grosso's office when you call to ask that the Mayor put something in her budget is either incompetence or just giving the community a big middle finger. Or both.

[Anonymous]

Or perhaps what they are trying to tell you is that the relevant council members (Grosso) and DME Niles have not weighed in with the mayor in support of restoring the budget/building the approved design.

[Anonymous]

It was announced yesterday that Murch has been officially included as one of three schools in the DC Auditor's FY 2016 school modernization audit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It was announced yesterday that Murch has been officially included as one of three schools in the DC Auditor's FY 2016 school modernization audit.

What does that mean?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It was announced yesterday that Murch has been officially included as one of three schools in the DC Auditor's FY 2016 school modernization audit.

Can't find this anywhere. What are the other two?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was announced yesterday that Murch has been officially included as one of three schools in the DC Auditor's FY 2016 school modernization audit.

Can't find this anywhere. What are the other two?

DE better be one of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was announced yesterday that Murch has been officially included as one of three schools in the DC Auditor's FY 2016 school modernization audit.

What does that mean?

It's a follow on to the report released last year - supposed to be a deeper dive into some of the projects (Ellington was a focus on the first one). Here's an article from the City Paper in January on Patterson and her thoughts about the school modernization project.

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/looselips/2016/01/07/shock-and-audit-kathy-patterson-brings-muscle-to-d-c-auditors-office/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was announced yesterday that Murch has been officially included as one of three schools in the DC Auditor's FY 2016 school modernization audit.

What does that mean?

It's a follow on to the report released last year - supposed to be a deeper dive into some of the projects (Ellington was a focus on the first one). Here's an article from the City Paper in January on Patterson and her thoughts about the school modernization project.

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/looselips/2016/01/07/shock-and-audit-kathy-patterson-brings-muscle-to-d-c-auditors-office/

OK, but what does that mean for the renovation as it happens?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was announced yesterday that Murch has been officially included as one of three schools in the DC Auditor's FY 2016 school modernization audit.

Can't find this anywhere. What are the other two?

Roosevelt and Stanton.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was announced yesterday that Murch has been officially included as one of three schools in the DC Auditor's FY 2016 school modernization audit.

What does that mean?

It's a follow on to the report released last year - supposed to be a deeper dive into some of the projects (Ellington was a focus on the first one). Here's an article from the City Paper in January on Patterson and her thoughts about the school modernization project.

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/looselips/2016/01/07/shock-and-audit-kathy-patterson-brings-muscle-to-d-c-auditors-office/

OK, but what does that mean for the renovation as it happens?

Probably nothing. Remember what the auditor found for Ellington and it's proceeding apace.