Local
D.C. Council says Lew needs to focus on schools, rather than parks
By: Michael Neibauer
Examiner Staff Writer
November 19, 2008
The D.C. Council on Tuesday evening blocked Mayor Adrian Fenty’s plan to put his school modernization chief in charge of the $58 million parks and recreation capital program.
Allen Lew, council members said, was recruited to fix D.C.’s crumbling public schools — not to fix everything.
The emergency resolution, offered by Ward 5 Councilman Harry Thomas Jr., clarifies that Lew is to “stay in his lane and do what he’s supposed to do” as head of the fledgling Office of Public Education Facilities Modernization. It prohibits him from working on most projects outside of the schools.
Fenty announced earlier this month that he had stripped the Department of Parks and Recreation of its capital responsibilities. The agency lacks the expertise to manage repair and modernization projects, the mayor said; its leadership should focus on programs while Lew takes over construction.
It was similar thinking that led to the establishment of Lew’s agency: Let Chancellor Michelle Rhee concentrate on the day-to-day school operations while the experts manage facility modernization.
Council members were uneasy about overburdening Lew, a well-regarded administrator known for finishing major capital projects — such as the D.C. convention center and Nationals Park — on time and near budget.
He has overseen roughly $600 million in school modernization jobs since being plucked from the D.C Sports and Entertainment Commission in June 2007.
“The guy’s done a great job, and there’s a tendency to say, ‘OK, do a great job in other places,’ ” Council Chairman Vincent Gray told The Examiner. “I want him to stay focused on the schools.”
The resolution allows Lew to work on certain DPR projects that are literally connected to a school, like the rebuilding of the Wilson High School Pool.
It also permits the continued work on projects Lew has already started.
A request for comment from the Fenty administration did not yield a response by press time Tuesday night.
Allen Lew, council members said, was recruited to fix D.C.’s crumbling public schools — not to fix everything.
The emergency resolution, offered by Ward 5 Councilman Harry Thomas Jr., clarifies that Lew is to “stay in his lane and do what he’s supposed to do” as head of the fledgling Office of Public Education Facilities Modernization. It prohibits him from working on most projects outside of the schools.
Fenty announced earlier this month that he had stripped the Department of Parks and Recreation of its capital responsibilities. The agency lacks the expertise to manage repair and modernization projects, the mayor said; its leadership should focus on programs while Lew takes over construction.
It was similar thinking that led to the establishment of Lew’s agency: Let Chancellor Michelle Rhee concentrate on the day-to-day school operations while the experts manage facility modernization.
Council members were uneasy about overburdening Lew, a well-regarded administrator known for finishing major capital projects — such as the D.C. convention center and Nationals Park — on time and near budget.
He has overseen roughly $600 million in school modernization jobs since being plucked from the D.C Sports and Entertainment Commission in June 2007.
“The guy’s done a great job, and there’s a tendency to say, ‘OK, do a great job in other places,’ ” Council Chairman Vincent Gray told The Examiner. “I want him to stay focused on the schools.”
The resolution allows Lew to work on certain DPR projects that are literally connected to a school, like the rebuilding of the Wilson High School Pool.
It also permits the continued work on projects Lew has already started.
A request for comment from the Fenty administration did not yield a response by press time Tuesday night.
