Reply to Murch meeting tonight on swing space

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Reply to "Murch meeting tonight on swing space"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I stayed for the whole meeting.  Though there were 4 options presented I think that 2 are viable Lafayette and UDC.  But all the proposals were riddled with issues. 
Option 1 lengthens the duration of the construction by 6 months and has the kids remaining on site for the entire process.  This has 4 phases during all of them the kids will use facilities that will be with in the construction zone.  The Murch property is far too small to make this safe.  There is talk about play space across Reno Road but not worked out with NPS, which seems unlikely given the history. (I think the proposed cost of this was 2.5 million)
Option 2 has the community split between on site (Gr 1-5) with PK and K being housed at a church in forest hills (combination in the church and in trailers on the ball field.)  The caveat being that any space within the church would have to be dismantled on Fridays and reassembled on Monday.  Several issues that arise with this option, of which the breaking down of classrooms seem most glaring but also specials teachers having to be dual site (also special education, reading specialists, counselors, etc.)  The play space would be great for PK and K but again the NPS proposed play area across Reno road being the case for onsite being an critical unknown.  (I think the proposed cost of this was 2.5 million)
Option 3 Lafayette.  Obviously this hinges on their renovation being completed on time.  This would mean a lot of people would drive, and my understanding is that traffic at Lafayette is comparable to what the traffic is at Murch.  Terrible.  DCPS said that bussing from Murch to Lafayette would be provided.  1300 elementary kids sharing one space, play space sharing, parking all things that could be problematic.  The Lafayette community is up in arms over this obviously.  DGS had told them out right that this was not an option, DCPS apparently forced them to investigate feasibility.  (I think the proposed cost of this was 4.5 million)
Option 4 UDC Building a trailer community on an open field on Van Ness.  This was only being investigated since after Thanksgiving.  So details seem less concrete and the slides providing information less well, informational… This option seemed to be the best received of all the options.  Keeping the community in one congruent space for the duration of the build.  There were parking concerns, and it seemed like more details needed to be worked out, secret service, drop off etc.  This is the option that DGS is recommending for the swing space.  (I think the proposed cost of this was 6 million)

There seems to be a lot of information to be processed and traffic studies to be completed.  I don’t see how a comprehensive traffic study can be completed before the decision are made being that schools are out beginning today through January 4.  The verdict will be out January 12th with DCPS having the final say.  What will be the deciding factor…$$$, safety, community input, we will just have to wait and see…
[/quote]

THanks for this summary--really helpful.

I hate the idea of teachers' having to breakdown classrooms each week, but $3.5M difference between that and UDC...that's a lot. Probably some big trade-offs against renovation outcomes.

Is the extra six months on site for option 1 and 2? And is that six months on top of the 24 projected? Or is it 18 months if the kids aren't on-site?[/quote]

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