Bates Area Civic Association not happy with the news that the JF Cook School slated to be awarded to the Mundo Verde Public Charter School

I am crossposting this item from the Bates Area Civic Association (BACA) blog regarding the announcement  that the city has awarded the untenanted JF Cook School on the unit block of P Street NW to the Mundo Verde Public Charter School.

You may recall the community's opposition towards the awarding of the school property to the Youth Build Public Charter School.

From: Geovani A Bonilla [mailto:gbonilla@hospicemanagement.com]
Sent: Monday, March 18, 2013 10:01 PM
To: ‘doxie.mccoy@dc.gov’; ‘marc.bleyer@dc.gov’; ‘kenneth.diggs@dc.gov’
Cc: ‘kmcduffie@dccouncil.us’; ‘kleindc@gmail.com’; ‘Joyce Robinson-Paul’; ‘Teri Janine’; ‘Crain, Deborah (OP)’; ‘Bradley A. Thomas’; ‘TClark@DCCOUNCIL.US’; ‘Marchim.williams@dc.gov’
Subject: PRESS RELEASE: Deputy Mayor for Education and Department of General …

 Dear member of the Deputy Mayor of Education, Office of General Services and Council Member McDuffie,

 It is extremely disappointing that our community is learning of the award of the J.FCookBuilding to yet another charter school. Our community has been extremely vocal regarding its opposition to this building being awarded to a charter school, given that we already have an underperforming charter school with low enrollment (CACPS) located one block from the J.F. Cook building.

 What is even more disappointing is that your offices and The Mayor have demonstrated once again disregard for our community’s requests to transfer this property to the Deputy Mayor of Planning and Economic Development for redevelopment after three failed attempts to find a charter school to operate the building. Furthermore, Mundo Verde made no attempts to reach out to community and notify us of its intent to obtain the property.

 As this matter will have to go to the City Council for hearing and final disposition, please be advised that our community will be extremely vocal on its opposition to the manner in which this property was awarded. As this community raised objection of the award to Youth Build, it will also rise to be heard in this process.

 Regards,

 Geovani A. Bonilla

Bates Area Civic Association