SIT Corner
I am the chair of the Janney School Improvement Team (see www.janneyschool.org for more information) and I would like to encourage anyone interested in the proposed Public Private Partnership (PPP) to review the history of the process and the SIT's position in regards to the PPP (all available on the Janney website). In all the discussions about the PPP please remember a few key facts:
If this project goes forward, Janney will be expanded and modernized soon (commencing within 2-4 years);
If this project does not go forward, it is very unlikely that Janney will be expanded and modernized anytime soon;
The PPP is not a "done deal" and there is chance that it may fall through;
Whenever Janney is rebuilt and modernized (with or without a PPP), there will be the same issues with which to contend (construction, probable loss of trees, disruption to the community etc.);
Whenever Janney is rebuilt and modernized (with or without a PPP), the school will need to expand outdoor playspace to compensate for the loss of playspace used by the new structure;
If Janney is rebuilt and modernized pursuant to the PPP, Alan Lew of the D.C. Public Schools, Office of Facilities Management will manage the project, not the PPP developer;
Moving Janney's teacher/staff parking lot underneath the proposed development is how Janney's campus would remain the same size (no net loss of green space);
D.C. Public Schools almost certainly is not going to build underground parking for Janney;
LCOR's previous plan and two other proposals submitted by other developers were all declared inadequate by the SIT (see link) and others;
Currently LCOR is working with the Tenley Library to "solidify a design" to meet their combined needs;
There is a meeting of "stakeholders" later this month being held by the Office of Economic Development at which the future timeline of events will be addressed;
The SIT would be delighted if the D.C. Council and the D.C. Public School system recognized our needs and budget funds sufficient to rebuild and expand Janney next year (with underground parking!);
Please contact me at kirkrankin@aol.com or any members of the SIT if you have any questions or comments. Stay informed and stay involved.
Whether or not you support the PPP process, we all agree that we need an improved Janney facility that can accomodate our growing community. Please tell the Mayor (www.dc.gov), your Council members (mcheh@dccouncil.us, tellkwamebrown@gmail.com,
www.davidcatania.com), and your ANC representatives
(www.anc3e.org), you want a rebuilt and expanded Janney now rather than later.
Kirk Rankin
Chair of the Janney School Improvement Team |
