Support

From the Forum – School Field Paved for Church Parking without Permits

IMG_4512

School Field Paved for Church Parking without Permits:

“I am writing regarding a neighborhood issue for Truxton Circle. In short, there is lot that used to be a multi-acre field at the corner of 1st and P St NW that was paved over practically in the middle of the night and without proper permits. What makes this interesting is the back story as this story crosses some important themes in the city today:

-Charter Schools
-Churches seeking Parking lot spaces for out of town Parishioners
-Green space
-Environmental concerns for water runoff (especially in the areas near Bloomingdale and Truxton Circle known for inefficient sewers)
-A backdoor deal done without community input or approval

The field is owned by CAPCS Amos-III, a practically failing Charter School (7% of the students proficient in Math, 24% of the students proficient in Reading http://www.zillow.com/washington-dc/schools/community-academy-pcs-amos-iii-7654/ ). The field was covered over 4 years to accommodate parking for the staff, and more importantly, for the parishioners of the Metropolitan Baptist Church who were supposed to be meeting there for two years while the church completes the building of its new facility in Prince George’s County. Construction of the new church faltered and Metropolitan seems to have taken up permanent residence at CAPCS.

Recently, as the new Dunbar High School neared completion, Pepco started working on installing new fiber optic cables underground at First and P. Under cover of the Pepco construction activity, CAPCS has apparently hired Ft. Myers Construction Company to clear the gravel and install a permanent black top surface. CAPCS did this without the community input or approval, and as far as is known, without the approval of the DC EPA. The reason that approval is needed for something like this is that a large multi-acre field turned paved parking lot pushes significant runoff water into the local sewer system instead of being absorbed by the ground. For an area like Truxton and Bloomingdale that alraedy has issues with flooding in storms, the fact that parking lot was paved without proper approval is staggering.

More amazingly, after the fact, it is revealed that the new ANC5C Commissioner knew about the potential paving of the lot, never brought up the concern with the community, and claimed that it was a good faith effort to help with the neighborhood parking nightmare during the week of the Dunbar opening (and beyond). http://batesareacivicassociation.org/2013/08/18/anc-commissioner-and-city-officials-knew-of-parking-lot-construction/

However, the Metropolitan Baptist Church sent out an email claiming that the parking lot was built for the benefit of the church.

Was Parking Lot Built for the Neighborhood or for the Church?

CAPCS has been trying for the last two years to get the community to approve of the paving of the former green space primarily to accommodate the needs of Metropolitan Baptist Church and whatever other commercial aspirations may be afoot were stunned. The reality is that in the planning of the Dunbar Grand Opening, Amos offered to pave the lot and to provide 50 spaces for attendees to this week’s festivities. The question we must all ask ourselves is: Is the Dunbar Grand Opening the reason or the cover for the paving?

A bigger question is the decision that charter schools like AMOS is making. Most city schools do not have space for a grass field for the children to play during recess or for after school activities. AMOS – III does, but instead of providing a needed service for the kids and the community, it would rather do a backdoor deal with the church to making parking for residents from MD. It are back door deals like these that aid failing schools to stay afloat even though they cannot fill their classrooms.

The Bates Area Civic Association is having a meeting regarding the parking lot issue on Monday, September 16th 7pm at Mt. Sinai Church (3rd and Q St NW). Come to the meeting if you are interested in voicing your opinion about this matter.”

You can see all forum topics and add your own here.

Recent Stories

From a press release: “The Sakura Taiko Fest has grown from a small concert first held in a dance studio to a full day of free, family-friendly taiko performances among…

Sweet City Ride

Thanks to Rafael for sending this sweet Rolls. Sweet City Ride is made possible by readers like you!

Photo by Lorie Shaull Ed. Note: If this was you, please email [email protected] so I can put you in touch with OP. “Dear PoPville, I was at The Dubliner around…

“Davis in Van Ness UDC” If you have any animal/pet photos you’d like to share please send an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com with ‘Animal Fix’ in the title and say the…

Calling all bookworms, thrill-seekers, supporters of the arts, and ping-pongers at all skill levels! Sign up for Paddlestar Galactica, the ping-pong tournament supporting 826DC’s youth writing programs.

826DC is a local nonprofit that offers free writing programs, homework help, and publishing opportunities for DC students ages 6-18, in our Columbia Heights writing center and in learning spaces across the city.

Paddlestar Galactica helps keep writing education 100% free and accessible for all of our students! It’s also extremely fun.

This year’s games will be Saturday, April 27th, 1 PM to 4 PM at SPIN DC. It’ll be a chaotic afternoon of ping-pong, costumes, terrible Battlestar Galactica puns, and good cheer. We’d love to have you join us!

Read More

Submit your own Announcement here.

Well-Paid Maids, the only certified living-wage cleaning service in the DMV, has added a new service to its online booking menu: office and building cleanings.

This includes offices, building lobbies, shared amenity spaces and more throughout D.C., Arlington, Alexandria and more.

Unlike so many other cleaning services, you can feel good booking Well-Paid Maids to clean your office or building. Cleaners get paid a starting wage of $24 an hour. Plus, all employees are offered health, dental, vision and life insurance; 24 paid days off per year; 100% employer-paid commuting costs; and more.

Read More

Submit your own Announcement here.

Vakili Band at Pie Shop!

Three band rock n rolll lineup at DC’s Pie Shop! Vakili Band with “if you know, you know” DC rockers, Lot 18, and the many minds and songs of artist Kind of Christine.

“If you love Vakili Band like we

×

Subscribe to our mailing list