Turkey Thicket Play DC Initiative and the new Brookland Middle School

Community Meeting March 23, 2013

BROOKLAND COMMUNITY MEETING MARCH 23, 2013

AGENDA
Introductions
Rules of the Road Meeting Goals Project History What We Considered

Current Project Status

Site Options Next Steps
BROOKLAND COMMUNITY MEETING MARCH 23, 2013

COMMUNITY MEETING GOALS

Where is the school situated on the site What is the status of the playground construction project

What is the timeline for the school and playground initiatives

What is the budget for the school and playground initiatives How is the school and recreation center parking going to be addressed Who makes the final decisions How will information regarding the projects be communicated more effectively

BROOKLAND COMMUNITY MEETING MARCH 23, 2013

PROJECT HISTORY
Turkey Thicket Park
Included in DPR Play-DC Initiative for outdoor space upgrades during 2013. Design concept by Studio 39 developed in December 2012 based on community input.

Brookland Middle School

Site selected for arts-focused middle school through efforts of DCPS and Ward 5 Council on Education. SIT created to guide school development and share information. Educational Specifications developed in mid-2012 Program includes 23 classrooms, performance space and gymnasium. Hartman-Cox/Grimm+Parker architectural team selected in December 2012 to begin concept designs.
BROOKLAND COMMUNITY MEETING MARCH 23, 2013

WHAT WE HAVE CONSIDERED

Achieving a World Class Middle School Playground Development Plan and Timeline

Stand-Alone or Co-Located School and Recreation Center

Tennis Courts and Exterior Park Amenities Park Site Access Recreation Center and School Facility Access Pick-up and Drop-off Traffic Parking

BROOKLAND COMMUNITY MEETING MARCH 23, 2013

CURRENT PROJECT STATUS

MISSION CRITICAL: Find the Solution that Best Balances the Needs, Wants, Logistics, Budget & Timelines of All Parties DGS, DPR, DCPS and the Community Working Together to Best Address the Neighborhoods Needs A Collaborative Effort to Create the Most Efficient and Useful Space for Both Turkey Thicket and Brookland Middle School Brookland Middle School Budget = $50 million Turkey Thicket Budget = Determined Based on Final Concept DGS Will Oversee Project and Lead Communications Effort with Community Once Designs and Timeline are Finalized DCPS and DPR are DGS Clients Consistent Interaction with SIT Team, ANC, Playground Group, Community Groups and Neighborhood Residents
BROOKLAND COMMUNITY MEETING MARCH 23, 2013

Aerial View of Current School Site

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BROOKLAND COMMUNITY MEETING MARCH 23, 2013

CO-LOCATION OPTION WITH RECREATION CENTER

PROS:
Potentially more space for surface parking School has closer and easier access to playing fields

Shifting of park amenities provides a more flexible design School has proper classroom orientation for natural light and energy efficiency Shared school facilities provides for expansion of recreation center through shared use of amenities

CONS:
DPR 2013 Play DC park upgrades delayed until 2014 Potential increase in traffic along 10th St Park areas will be closed at times for school building construction Secure access point required between school population and rec center population Increased project budget due to demolition and rebuild of interior and exterior rec center amenities Areas within rec center will require temporary closure to construct reconfiguration & connection to school
BROOKLAND COMMUNITY MEETING MARCH 23, 2013

STAND ALONE SCHOOL AT 10th Street

PROS:
School in close proximity to rec center to provide access to amenities Provides physical separation between school and rec center Students have easy access to playing fields School has better access to light and views School entrance on less active street

CONS:
Less green space available for park use Additional exterior park facilities are involved in large construction project requiring extensive periods of closure for construction Project budget must be increased to demolish and rebuild outdoor rec areas and address site topography
BROOKLAND COMMUNITY MEETING MARCH 23, 2013

STAND-ALONE SCHOOL AT SOUTH POINT OF PARK

PROS:
School located at civic end of site

School has ideal classroom orientation for natural light and energy efficiency Parking lots centrally located for possible shared use during non-school hours Provides physical separation between school and rec center School location is closer to Metro

CONS:
Outdoor park space is reduced with less flexibility for outdoor space design and layout North end of site has topography changes which poses issues and additional costs for constructing playing fields All exterior park facilities are involved in the construction project, requiring extensive periods of closure for construction

Project budget must be increased to demolish and rebuild outdoor rec areas and address site topography
BROOKLAND COMMUNITY MEETING MARCH 23, 2013

STAND-ALONE SCHOOL ON EXPANDED EXISTING SCHOOL SITE

PROS:

Additional open space added between school and tennis courts Provides physical separation between school and rec center Additional space available for parking or play-space Minimal impact to 2013 Play-DC upgrades School has civic presence on Michigan Ave

CONS:
No Drop-off to offset street traffic on Mich. Ave. School constructed in close proximity to smaller scale houses

Potentially reduces tennis courts and delays Play-DC upgrades

Accessing fields from school requires crossing drive aisle and moderate walk Classroom orientation is not optimal for natural light and energy efficiency
BROOKLAND COMMUNITY MEETING MARCH 23, 2013

STAND-ALONE SCHOOL ON EXISTING SCHOOL SITE

PROS:

DPR 2013 Play-DC upgrades can continue for 2013 completion

School pickup and drop off drive helps alleviate traffic problems on streets Rec center would not experience any construction related closures School construction will have little impact on park and rec center Provides separation between school and rec center School has civic presence on Michigan Ave School can be built with budgeted funds

CONS:
Limited site area available for surface parking School building abuts tennis courts and enclosure fence

School constructed in close proximity to smaller scale houses

Accessing fields from school requires crossing drive aisle and moderate walk Classroom orientation is not optimal for natural light and energy efficiency
BROOKLAND COMMUNITY MEETING MARCH 23, 2013

Next Steps
Posting of the presentation on the DGS website Collect additional comments from this presentation DGS to make recommendation to DPR and DCPS DGS, DPR and DCPS make final decision Next community meeting (Notification of Decision)

Site Investigations and Traffic Study will continue

Additional SIT team and community meetings schedule will be announced (announcement of Play DC construction schedule, site enhancements and parking will be discussed)

BROOKLAND COMMUNITY MEETING MARCH 23, 2013

Questions & Answers

Timeline and next steps are next.

BROOKLAND COMMUNITY MEETING MARCH 23, 2013

COMMUNITY MEETING GOALS

Where is the school situated on the site What is the status of the playground construction project

What is the timeline for the school and playground initiatives

What is the budget for the school and playground initiatives How is the school and recreation center parking going to be addressed Who makes the final decisions How will information regarding the projects be communicated more effectively

BROOKLAND COMMUNITY MEETING MARCH 23, 2013

BROOKLAND COMMUNITY MEETING MARCH 23, 2013