APS Holds Pre-Proposal RFP Meetings at Abingdon, TJ

Hello,

A group of architects, planners, and consultants filled Abingdon Elementary School's library this afternoon to hear Assistant Superintendent for Facilities and Operations John Chadwick and Director of Design and Construction Scott Prisco describe the process for submitting a RFP for the Abingdon School addition and renovation at a cost of $28.75 million to add 136 seats, and for construction of a new elementary school on the grounds of Thomas Jefferson Middle School at a cost of $50.25 million to add 725 seats. However, according to Mr. Prisco there is no guarantee that a new elementary school will be constructed on the TJ site in view of intense community opposition. The alternative to an elementary school on the TJ site is additions to two existing elementary schools.

The winning architectural teams will face tight deadlines, Abingdon School's completion date is September 2017 and the completion date for a new elementary school on the TJ site is September 2018. APS expects RFPs to be submitted as soon as possible (material related to RFPs for both projects can be found on APS's Web site). APS contemplates a lengthy community process planning both projects.

As with Williamsburg and Ashlawn, APS contemplates teaming with Arlington Parks and Recreation to replace open space at TJ and Abingdon with playing fields as 'community amenities'. How much, if any, open space remains will depend on residents of adjacent neighborhoods.

Meeting attendees were given a tour of Abingdon School by the school's principal. It became apparent during the tour that complaints by parents of the school's run down state are largely due to lack of good housekeeping, to poor storage, and to lack of interior maintenance.

After touring Abingdon School about half the attendees drove to TJ where they were encouraged to tour the TJ grounds. APS Facilities and Operations Staff want an elementary school constructed on the TJ site and consider those who oppose a new elementary school on the site to be 'neighborhood nuisances'.

Cindy

Tejada, Violand-Sanchez Reportedly Agree for Arlington to Accept 'Several Thousand' Unaccompanied Minors from Central America

Hey, Yupette,

Latest news about the influx of 'unaccompanied minors' from Central America is that County Board member Walter Tejada and School Board member Emma Violand-Sanchez have negotiated with several Central American governments, including Guatemala, about Arlington accepting several thousand 'unaccompanied minors' and an unknown, but substantial number, of their family members.

This comes at the time when the School Board just finalized APS's 10 year CIP and Arlington County is about to finalize the County's 10 year CIP. County Manager is going to announce her plans for streetcar financing this week.

Unfortunately, it's 2014, not 1984.There is little affordable housing left in the County for anyone who earns $30,000 to $40,000 per year.Arlington's school system is already strained, as is Arlington's food assistance network.

Appears that about 50,000 unaccompanied minors have already crossed into the United States from Central America and 60,000 to 100,000 more will be entering the United States within a year.

It's unknown to what extent the County Board and School Board approved Tejada's and Violand-Sanchez's communications with Central American governments.

Pike Rider 22204

San Antonio Residents Fight Streetcar Plans, Collect Signatures for Referendum

Hello, Yupette,

I was in San Antonio on business last month. The Arlington Yupette blog should be aware that almost the same battle is being waged there against a downtown streetcar line (at a projected cost of $280 million). Same entrenched Democratic machine committed to 'New Urbanism'. Same entrenched transportation bureaucracy. Same group of chamber of commerce and development-for-the-sake-of-development boosters. Same 'economic analysis' paid for by the City of San Antonio that 'proves' a streetcar line will generate $1.3 billion in economic benefits from development and redevelopment.

Difference between Arlington and San Antonio is that San Antonio residents are much more vocal and are collecting petition signatures to put a streetcar referendum question on the ballot in November. Same concerns about streetcar safety, traffic jams, and various costs to residents. So check it out on the Web.

Jason, 22204

Poor and Minority Moped Owners Furious About Mandatory Registration

Hello,

I am a struggling African American who works in a fast food restaurant on the Pike. Don't have much left over from my pay check for paying rent, which is why I can't afford to live in Arlington.

About 9 months every year I can commute the 8 miles from my actually affordable apartment (location I won't disclose so some yuptard developer won't make an offer the owner can't refuse) to the Pike restaurant where I work. I use an inexpensive Moped with a 50 cc engine to commute from home to work.

So, guess what our local General Assembly Democrats decided? Poor minority group members (like me) have to have our Mopeds registered and titled and display license plates by tomorrow, July 1st.

Don't want to do that? The Arlington Transportation Elite suggests we rent Bikeshare bicycles instead (per the Post article yesterday). Cost? Maybe $1,000 per year for someone like me.

NO WAY I will vote for any local PlutoCrat who calls himself or herself a 'Democrat'. They are ALL selfish and greedy. Anything they might do that benefits poor minority group working class people is purely a coincidence.

J.D.