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Webb E.S. fire is under investigation
As you likely know by now, Webb E.S. suffered a 2-alarm fire late Monday evening. The fire is under investigation, and early reports indicate that the building was not secure.
We have been pressuring the Department of General services over the past few months to increase the transparency of Webb’s property disposition. At this time, we do not know what the future of the building or the property will be; we have reached out to Councilmember McDuffie and will update you as new information becomes available.
Rather than attempt to paraphrase the coverage already out there, we will update the links below as we get them (please share any you’ve come across in the comments):
- DC Fire Department posted images and their experience with the blaze – DCFD
- Serious posts from Trinidad’s resident satirist – ToTville
- Webb Elementary School fire ignites in Northeast – ABC7
- Two-Alarm Fire Severely Damages Old D.C. School – NBC4
- Fire department investigates blaze at former D.C. elementary school – Washington Times
- More on Last Night’s Fire at Webb Elementary – Frozen Tropics
Your testimony needed ASAP on Webb E.S. surplus property
Webb Elementary, Mt. Olivet Road, Washington, DC. Photo by rllayman on Flickr.
***UPDATE: DGS has extended the dealine for testimony to Friday, June 15, at 5:00 pm. Please send your written testimony to Brian Hanlon, Acting Director of DC Department of General Services, at my.dgs@dc.gov, cc’ing Althea O. Holford, Realty Specialist, at althea.holford@dc.gov.***
Though it appears that a good majority of the community was unaware, the Department of General Services (DGS) held another public meeting on the disposition of Webb E.S. as a surplus property.
Webb was taken off the February public meeting agenda at the last minute, and DGS conducted an analysis of the property to identify whether or not it was suitable for a District agency use. Ultimately, such a use was not identified, and DGS held another meeting on May 17 to explain why the school is being surplused, to explain what the next steps are in the disposition process, and to solicit input from the community. You can review the presentation slides from that meeting here.
TNA was not notified of the May 17 meeting – when we found out about it this week, we contacted DGS for more information. We received the presentation slides and confirmation that the public record is open until Monday, June 11. We have requested a week extension to this deadline, and will update this post if that extension is granted.
In the meantime, please submit your written testimony, which will be added to the record of the public hearing, by 5:00 pm on Monday, June 11 to Brian Hanlon, Acting Director of DC Department of General Services, at my.dgs@dc.gov, cc’ing Althea O. Holford, Realty Specialist, at althea.holford@dc.gov.
Public meeting on proposed surplus of Webb E.S. property: February 27
Department of General Services
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETINGS REGARDING
SURPLUS RESOLUTIONS PURSUANT TO D.C. OFFICIAL CODE 10-801
Webb Elementary, Mt. Olivet Road, Washington, DC. Photo by rllayman on Flickr.
The District will conduct a public hearing to receive public comments on the proposed surplus of the following District properties. The date, time and location shall be as follows:
Properties:
Parcel No: 01410047 at 1375 Mount Olivet Road, (“Webb School Building”)
Parcel No: 01600045 at 820 26th Street NE, (“Young School Building”)
Date:
Monday, February 27, 2012
Time:
6:00 p.m.
Location:
Trinidad Recreation Center
1310 Childress Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
Contact:
Althea O. Holford, Real Estate Specialist
Department of General Services
202.478.2428 or althea.holford@dc.gov
Trinidad Neighborhood Association 