Bates Area Civic Association

Resolution against the LAYC moving into the Cook School was approved almost unanimously at the BACA meeting two nights ago. There was one voice who opposed the resolution. Attached here is a copy of it. This or a close version of it has been approved by the BACA, the Hanover Association, the Dunbar Homeowners Assn, and it has been presented to the ANC5C where it is up for a vote next month.

COOK SCHOOL RESOLUTION 2009.doc

There was a lot of anger at two recent meetings – the BACA and the ANC5C – over the issue. Most of the anger stems from a community frustrated by an unclear and nontransparent process. We were asked for input, then not given a choice over those who put in bids on the property. The mayor came in ready to stand firm in support of the LAYC’s successful bid, but not ready to discuss ways to mitigate the potential impact. He  offered no concessions. A couple of community members asked what we as a community would get in return for housing yet another social program. What could the city do to help development on North Capitol? What will the city do for the lack of parks in our neighborhood? For the library and day care that recently closed and sit vacant attracting loiterers on NY Ave/1st St? What about the drug dealers on Hanover St? The homeless and mentally ill who stray around North Capitol/ O St/Hanover area? How about some relief for these issues?

The LAYC also should have known to be lobbying the community hard before it won its bid.  It’s an established organization that should know how community politics works. They, instead,  came in after the community was on the defensive.  Two nights ago, during the mayor’s visit, LAYC bought a group of young people to the meeting, maybe 20-30 of them. In a neighborhood that already feels cajoled into accepting this project, it seemed a shameful tactic and only angered neighbors more.

One young lady from the group spoke eloquently, and persuasively. She did offer concessions – she argued that we would not regret it if we let them into our community. If we would accept them, they would make sure that we loved them, she promised. That they would help keep our community clean. I was touched by her speech. I would give her a chance. If only the mayor could have had as much courage as that young lady did.

Jim Berry argues that this project could set our neighborhood back 20 years (since there would be a 15 year lease given to LAYC on the property). He says the government should look into the larger potential of the three schools there that are up for reuse: MM Washington, Cook, and Langston.

I don’t know what to think. It’s a complicated issue because LAYC is a worthwhile program,  those kids (like everyone) deserve a second chance.  However, my neighborhood deserves some attention from the city.  Mayor, step up and give us something with which to bargain.  Did you really believe it when you implied that LAYC could be the catalyst to revitalize our neighborhood – like it did Colombia Heights?  Will you also give us a huge development package to follow?  Like in Colombia Heights?

Fast Track?
When the mayor visited in June,  he described many issues as “on the fast track.”  One of them was a renovation of the Florida Ave Park.  The other was a renovation of the Dunbar Highschool pool. “Fast track”  was not defined then and was not used on this visit to our neighborhood.  The Florida Ave Park seemed to be in some planning stages but not “fast tracked.”  Dunbar pool wasn’t mentioned.

Lastly…
And unrelated to the , a methadone clinic on Bladensburg Road closed for not paying its rent. Speculation in the blogosphere says that will mean more clients for the clinic near our neighborhood. The one on the south side of NY Ave and NorthCap. This doesn’t bode well for the blighted North Capitol Ave area.