I have to call you on this "report of what was said." I did not hear one person say, "Do not bow to pressure to override the current decision to close the existing school." I did hear many people say they would like a new school built at the site, or at least a youth education institution of some kind, to reflect the fact that we value our kids and their education over developers' interests. Those at the meeting who said that are not alone. That is also the official position of the DC Office of Planning, as indicated on their website at p.45 of the Pennsylvania Avenue SE Corridor Land Development Plan (January 2008( "There is potentially an opportunity to redevelop the [Hine] school site in conjunction with DC Public Schools so that a new building (or buildings) better fronts Pennsylvania Avenue and offers new opportunities for ground floor retail, community space, DSPS (sic) office space and possibly housing."

There are conflicting priorities and conflicting understandings of what was expressed. If supporting the Eastern Market is the priority then using the Hine space for child centered activities probably conflicts. If providing subsidized housing for employees (school or otherwise) is an objective is the Hine site the best place for such housing? Resources are limited. Green space sounds great until we ask who is to maintain the green space. The city can't manage the small plaza behind the pool.

The summary report was compiled from 118 worksheets that were completed and turned in at the first community meeting. Quotes in the report were taken from both comments made at the meeting as well as on the worksheets, and the quote you mention was pulled from one of the worksheets.

Some participants at the meeting did say that they would like a new school to be built on the site, but this was not a majority opinion. As noted in the summary report on page 1, the most frequently cited key principle under the heading of “Community Use” was to maintain a focus on youth with educational services, a library or other youth oriented facilities.

At the risk of being churlish, the date on the introductory comments on this page looks incorrect. Shouldn't it be July 29th rather than May 29th? Please correct.

Guest User re: date,

Perhaps you're mistaking the summary of the first meeting with that of the second meeting? The first community meeting on the future use of the Hine Jr. High site was held in late April. This May write-up is the summary of that meeting. The second community meeting was held in July. I assume by suggesting a July 29th date, you're asking about the summary for the second meeting? That summary is online as well as and here in the link: http://www.tommywells.org/content/view/474/31/.