tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6246743662284890173.post7795780642995324281..comments2023-09-16T04:58:07.261-04:00Comments on the Annandale Blog: Architect describes vision for Bailey's Elementary School annex Annandale Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07543558586252790593noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6246743662284890173.post-75141612131154297002014-01-21T09:29:34.323-05:002014-01-21T09:29:34.323-05:00What was the history behind not using the Wilston ...What was the history behind not using the Wilston Center space? I walked through that school recently and had a flashback to my elementary school days in the 1970s! Seems like the building has some great "bones" to it, but if they don't renovate, it's going to fall apart. Seems a shame to let it go to waste. Is it owned by the County? I don't know anything about its history. Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6246743662284890173.post-6733084359941852532014-01-21T09:20:32.086-05:002014-01-21T09:20:32.086-05:00I think FCPS needs a well prepared contingency pla...I think FCPS needs a well prepared contingency plan if (when) the new school doesn't open on time. The FCPS director of design and construction services said it will be a "very, very tight" schedule. I think that's an understatement. I imagine the default position will be to keep the students at Bailey's until the new school is finished. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6246743662284890173.post-52817845843186979972014-01-18T11:52:15.512-05:002014-01-18T11:52:15.512-05:00Matt is right.
No one questions that Cooper Car...Matt is right. <br /><br />No one questions that Cooper Carry is a top-rated design firm and has great ideas for this building. <br /><br />However, the facts remain that 1) this building will NEVER HAVE A GYM (the "recreation spaces" inside are not big enough to accommodate the "pacer" running tests all FCPS students must complete; the ceiling height is not higher than the standard classrooms, so there will be NO BASKETBALL and NO ball-throwing like every other elementary school in Fairfax County in the indoor "recreation" space at this school); and 2) the plan to configure parking/buses/playground on the "L" shaped lot is ever-changing.<br /><br />Of course, the building and facilities folks are doing their best to make a plan for the outdoor space, but the fact remains that it is very limited space. If the county does decide to use this building for K-5 in the future, they'll need to have outdoor play space appropriate for the little ones (K-2) in addition to any play space they build for the 3-5th graders for 2014-15. There is hardly room for one outdoor play space. It's an oddly-shaped lot. We want to be sure that the students at this school are not short-changed with respect to their PE and recess activities, which is a very important, even critical, part of elementary school and growing up.<br /><br />Additionally, community members (and FCDOT) are very concerned about the locomotion of kiss-and-ride cars and buses on this oddly-shaped lot, and how these uses will be compatible with an outdoor play area. <br /><br />Community members are also very concerned about traffic on Route 7, Castle Road and Patrick Henry Drive, the three roads likely to be used by buses and cars coming to this site.<br /><br />We all support innovation. But, we all have to recognize that there is really more wrong with this site than there is right with it. So we have to be very careful how we plan it and plan for its future use. We don't want any child in Fairfax County getting the short end of the stick when it comes to public education. We need to all approach this from the perspective of a parent with a child who will be enrolling here in the fall. FCPS has never done this before. They need our help and our input. <br /> Mason Districthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00364201058329005162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6246743662284890173.post-36475550690894124412014-01-17T10:38:15.684-05:002014-01-17T10:38:15.684-05:00I am still curious to know why our county governme...I am still curious to know why our county government is spending approximately $20M to buy and convert an office building into a school when there is a highly underutilized school property on the other side of Rt 50, Wilson Center. This is a poor location for an elementary school and a misrepresentation of the bond referendum we voted to build a new school. The more I hear and learn about how this came about, the more disgusted I am with my local "representatives".Matt Dillardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12913845407574176466noreply@blogger.com