My OperaÀ la recherche du temps perdu. Or Schadenfreude. Or Something.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010 2:55:05 PM
Above the fold in this morning's Washington Times today is an article which brought back memories, not all of which were pleasant. The editor then went into his archives.
From the October 21, 2004 edition of the Blagden Alley News, the meeting had on the agenda:
Auto school
The WVSA AutoArts Academy, a charter school, is apparently starting up on the 1200 block of Ninth Street. It's a zoning matter-of-right, and is set to start sometime in early 2005. The meeting asked to hear from the group.
The presentation happened at the November meeting, with these notes from the December, 2004 newsletter:
Auto Arts School, 1234 Ninth Street
Larry Riccio, the head of the WVSA charter school being put together for 1234 Ninth Street presented his plans.
He noted that 20% of DC kids are now in charter schools. WVSA Was to be auto body collision and repair school, but not anymore, as it will be arts based.
They have the front and alley of the building. The same group has a program at Sixteenth and L. The whole thing started on the Trinity College campus, many years ago. (Ed: Google Riccio and Trinity.)
It's slated for about 120 kids, 60% with special needs, and will sell artwork and have on-site gallery. It also envisions two floors of apartments above school, with parking conserved. I.e., no need for street parking for staff or students.
It is not starting until Fall.
A major concern expressed was the possible deadening effect on future development in the neighborhood. For example, some say that DC law prohibits new liquor licenses being issued within 400 feet of a school of any sort (including "charter"). That would rule out Ruby Tuesday, Hooters and Clydes.
The Neighborhood Had Problems
Over the Christmas holidays, the was a lot of discussion about the proposal. It wasn't favorable to the school. As an example of the community trying to throw sand into the gears of "progress", we have this from the December newsletter:
BAA is indebted to Alexander Padro of ANC 2C for spotting the HPRB meeting notice. He attended the meeting, since ANC 2C includes the East side of Ninth Street, across from 1234 Ninth Street and thus has an interest in the project. {Ed. This is standard ANC procedure across the District.]
Checking with Sherri Kimbel, ANC 2F was not notified of this meeting. Back in the old days, Boards and Commissions were required to give ANC's 30 days notice of meetings and other specified matters. Maybe that has changed. Maybe someone screwed up.
At any rate, the President wrote the following, which Alex kindly presented to the Board when he testified:
16 December 2004
Mr. Stephen Callcott
District of Columbia Historical Preservation Review Board
801 North Capitol Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
Reference: H.P.A. Number: 05-060, Geoffrey Lewis of DBI Architects for the WVSA Auto Arts Academy, 1234 Ninth Street, NW
Gentlemen:
The Blagden Alley Association President learned yesterday of the meeting concerning the meeting on the WVSA Auto Arts Academy.
At its recent monthly meeting (18 November 2004), the Blagden Alley neighborhood residents expressed strong concern about several aspects of the projects. No vote was taken as it was understood that nothing immediate was happening, and the matter would be taken up again in January at the next regular meeting.
The Blagden Alley Association President has been informed that the ANC (2F) has not been notified of the meeting.
Therefore, as ANC 2F is in transition (six of seven members are new, and not yet sworn in) and its first regularly scheduled meeting will be in January, I request, on behalf of the Blagden Alley Association, that the consideration of the above referenced application be postponed until the ANC has been sworn in and has had time to consider this matter, and the neighborhood can present an official position on the matter.
Sincerely,
Harold H. Davitt
President, Blagden Alley Association
cc:
Office of Jack Evans, DC City Council
Mr. Mike Nelson, ANC 2F Commissioner Elect
Ms. Sherri Kimbel, Executive Director, ANC 2F
Mr. James Loucks, LCCA Historic Preservation Committee
Mr. Alex Padro, Executive Director, Shaw Main Streets, Inc.
They had the meeting.
There was more.
Over the next several months, it was about the only thing in the neighborhood's mind. By mid 2005, the charter school proposal faded and somewhere in there it was pronounced dead, if the editor recalls correctly. The unity of the community in opposition was quite stunning.
1234 Ninth Street is now the Longview Gallery.
From the October 21, 2004 edition of the Blagden Alley News, the meeting had on the agenda:
Auto school
The WVSA AutoArts Academy, a charter school, is apparently starting up on the 1200 block of Ninth Street. It's a zoning matter-of-right, and is set to start sometime in early 2005. The meeting asked to hear from the group.
The presentation happened at the November meeting, with these notes from the December, 2004 newsletter:
Auto Arts School, 1234 Ninth Street
Larry Riccio, the head of the WVSA charter school being put together for 1234 Ninth Street presented his plans.
He noted that 20% of DC kids are now in charter schools. WVSA Was to be auto body collision and repair school, but not anymore, as it will be arts based.
They have the front and alley of the building. The same group has a program at Sixteenth and L. The whole thing started on the Trinity College campus, many years ago. (Ed: Google Riccio and Trinity.)
It's slated for about 120 kids, 60% with special needs, and will sell artwork and have on-site gallery. It also envisions two floors of apartments above school, with parking conserved. I.e., no need for street parking for staff or students.
It is not starting until Fall.
A major concern expressed was the possible deadening effect on future development in the neighborhood. For example, some say that DC law prohibits new liquor licenses being issued within 400 feet of a school of any sort (including "charter"). That would rule out Ruby Tuesday, Hooters and Clydes.
The Neighborhood Had Problems
Over the Christmas holidays, the was a lot of discussion about the proposal. It wasn't favorable to the school. As an example of the community trying to throw sand into the gears of "progress", we have this from the December newsletter:
BAA is indebted to Alexander Padro of ANC 2C for spotting the HPRB meeting notice. He attended the meeting, since ANC 2C includes the East side of Ninth Street, across from 1234 Ninth Street and thus has an interest in the project. {Ed. This is standard ANC procedure across the District.]
Checking with Sherri Kimbel, ANC 2F was not notified of this meeting. Back in the old days, Boards and Commissions were required to give ANC's 30 days notice of meetings and other specified matters. Maybe that has changed. Maybe someone screwed up.
At any rate, the President wrote the following, which Alex kindly presented to the Board when he testified:
16 December 2004
Mr. Stephen Callcott
District of Columbia Historical Preservation Review Board
801 North Capitol Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
Reference: H.P.A. Number: 05-060, Geoffrey Lewis of DBI Architects for the WVSA Auto Arts Academy, 1234 Ninth Street, NW
Gentlemen:
The Blagden Alley Association President learned yesterday of the meeting concerning the meeting on the WVSA Auto Arts Academy.
At its recent monthly meeting (18 November 2004), the Blagden Alley neighborhood residents expressed strong concern about several aspects of the projects. No vote was taken as it was understood that nothing immediate was happening, and the matter would be taken up again in January at the next regular meeting.
The Blagden Alley Association President has been informed that the ANC (2F) has not been notified of the meeting.
Therefore, as ANC 2F is in transition (six of seven members are new, and not yet sworn in) and its first regularly scheduled meeting will be in January, I request, on behalf of the Blagden Alley Association, that the consideration of the above referenced application be postponed until the ANC has been sworn in and has had time to consider this matter, and the neighborhood can present an official position on the matter.
Sincerely,
Harold H. Davitt
President, Blagden Alley Association
cc:
Office of Jack Evans, DC City Council
Mr. Mike Nelson, ANC 2F Commissioner Elect
Ms. Sherri Kimbel, Executive Director, ANC 2F
Mr. James Loucks, LCCA Historic Preservation Committee
Mr. Alex Padro, Executive Director, Shaw Main Streets, Inc.
They had the meeting.
There was more.
Over the next several months, it was about the only thing in the neighborhood's mind. By mid 2005, the charter school proposal faded and somewhere in there it was pronounced dead, if the editor recalls correctly. The unity of the community in opposition was quite stunning.
1234 Ninth Street is now the Longview Gallery.
