Examiner Staff Writer Officials in cash-strapped Alexandria think they may might have a way to build a school virtually for free — but getting the school’s neighbors on its side will be no easy feat.
Alexandria City Public Schools is considering soliciting a private developer to build a new structure for the
Jefferson-Houston Elementary School.
In a first for the city, the plan would allow a developer to build commercial property on part of the school’s land — prime real estate near the King Street Metro station. In exchange, the developer would replace the outdated school building.
The commercial development would fund the estimated $30 million cost of a new school, said Margaret Byess, deputy superintendent of planning and support operations.
It’s an idea that’s been done before. In the 1990s, the District of Columbia turned to Bethesda developer LCOR Inc. to rebuild the run-down Oyster-Adams Bilingual School. LCOR used half of the school’s 1.67 acres to build a 211-unit apartment building; on the other half it built the school, which opened in 2001.
William Hard, LCOR executive vice president
, said Tuesday the project was successful because it had the neighborhood’s support. And with tax breaks, the property in the Woodley Park neighborhood was desirable for development. LCOR agreed to pay $804,000 per year in lieu of taxes to pay off the $11 million school bond.
“There’s a whole range of economic development tools that can be used to enhance the viability and value of the real estate,” Hard said, adding that the Jefferson-Houston project is one LCOR might look at.
But unlike with the District, Alexandria’s proposed project, which would include a new administrative facility and performing arts center, is meeting resistance from surrounding residents. They say the dense development that would be needed to fund a $30 million school would be an eyesore among mostly low-rise apartments and row houses.
Damon Colbert is heading up a petition opposing the proposal. He said about 160 signatures have been collected from 111 households and he “suspects there will be a large turnout” at a community meeting about the project
scheduled for Sept. 13 at the school.
However, school officials said a public-private partnership, which would not cost the taxpayers, is their most affordable option.
Alexandria is planning new buildings for Patrick Henry Elementary School and the Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology.
“With the fairly significant budget constraints in Alexandria we didn’t want to put in requests for three new school buildings in next 10 years,” Byess said.
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09/09/10 20:00:00 PM
