Tag Archives: Bridges and Briya Public Charter School

ANC 5A September 30, 2015 Meeting Recap: Crime Bill; Bridges & Briya; DC Clean Rivers Project

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A and tagged with ,

Now that ANC 5A has started updating its website with meeting minutes, I will not be posting full recaps of the ANC meetings. Occasionally, I will post highlights from the meetings.

ANC 5A Meeting September 30, 2015

Councilmember McDuffie’s crime bill

Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie spoke at length about his crime bill, the Neighborhood Engagement Achieves Results Act of 2015 (“NEAR Act”). He described this bill as taking an holistic approach to public safety and treating public safety as a public health issue. The bill would create an Office of Neighborhood Engagement and Safety, give grantmaking authority to the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety, provide incentives for youth identified as most at risk for getting into trouble, create a Community Crime Prevention Team Pilot Program, and require MPD to collect data and provide training in certain areas. For more information about the bill click here.

Bridges and Briya Public Charter School

We previously posted about the award of the Mamie D. Lee school building (110 Gallatin Street NE) to Bridges and Briya Public Charter School. They are teaming up with Mary’s Center, which will open a new location next to the school and offer dental and comprehensive medical services, including geriatric services. Mary’s Center plans to operate during normal business hours.

Bridges and Briya brought boards with their site plan and a few renderings. They said razing of a portion of the site should be completed soon and additions to both sides of the existing building will be constructed during winter and spring so that the school can be open in time for the 2016-2017 school year. There will be limited on-site parking, primarily for staff. Drop-off for students will take place within the site. They indicated they would like community input on a playground, which could be open to the community during non-school hours. There will also be a multi-purpose room in the school, which may also be available for community use. If you have suggestions/concerns about the school/medical facility, contact Commissioner Sandi Washington at 5A07@anc.dc.gov.

DC Clean Rivers Project

DC Water presented on its Clean Rivers Project Green Infrastructure Program. Part of ANC 5A falls within the Rock Creek Project A area. This area is slated for the first phase of work. DC Water will hold a public meeting on October 22, 2015:

DC Water will hold a public meeting to present next steps for Green Infrastructure (GI) Program implementation and seek input on potential locations to implement these GI practices. DC Water is currently conducting field investigations in the Rock Creek sewershed in the area from 3rd Place NW to First Street NE and from Oglethorpe Street NW to Gallatin Street NW. This phase of work consists of site surveys to gather background information for the design of GI to be constructed under the DC Clean Rivers Project.

This first phase of work entails finding locations, such as alleyways, parking lanes, and open places along the streets, that are suitable for green infrastructure installation. They are really looking to maximize co-benefits, such as replacing crumbling alleyways with permeable alleyways. For a copy of the presentation click here: DC Clean Rivers Project_ANC 5A_Presentation 09.30.15 (pdf).

Attend the October 22nd meeting to find out more.

Thursday, October 22

Presentation 6:30 pm

Open House 7:00 pm

Washington Latin Public Charter School, Multipurpose Room

5200 2nd Street NW

2015 1022 RC-A Public Meeting Invitation

Mamie D. Lee School Building awarded to Bridges and Briya Public Charter School

Posted by nextstoprp in Education and tagged with ,

The Mayor’s Office issued a press release announcing that the Mamie D. Lee school building, located at 100 Gallatin Street NE, was awarded to Bridges and Briya Public Charter School. Mamie D. Lee, which serves special needs students, will close at the end of the 2014-2015 school year. The release provides a few details about the new school:

Bridges and Briya are partnering to offer a full spectrum of education programming from infant and toddler to adult programs. Bridges, which will serve 400 students at capacity, will provide a pre-Kindergarten and elementary school program with a focus on serving a high proportion of students with special needs in an inclusive environment. Briya will offer GED and vocational education for adults as well as infant and toddler programs for children of students attending Briya’s adult programs.  At capacity, Briya will serve 225 adults and 36 infants and toddlers.

Bridges and Briya will also partner with Mary’s Center, which will provide medical, dental and mental health services. Mary’s Center will be equipped to address early intervention for infants and toddlers and will offer athletic and wellness opportunities for community members.

Bridges and Briya presented their plans at an ANC 5A meeting in October.  During that meeting, a couple of commissioners expressed public safety concerns about operating a school beyond traditional school hours (as Bridges and Briya plan to do) because the immediate area around the school, including the paved path leading to Fort Totten metro station, is not well lit at night. ANC 5A ultimately decided to support the application of a different school.

Bridges and Briya plan to add on to the Mamie Lee school building. They anticipate being open for the 2015-2016 school year in their new home.