Comments on: ‘Preferred schematic design’ debuts for future Genesee Hill school http://westseattleblog.com/2013/01/preferred-schematic-design-debuts-for-future-genesee-hill-school West Seattle news, information, and discussion, updated multiple times daily, 24/7/365 Fri, 24 May 2013 23:57:38 +0200 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: diane http://westseattleblog.com/2013/01/preferred-schematic-design-debuts-for-future-genesee-hill-school#comment-960468 diane Sat, 26 Jan 2013 21:58:32 +0000 http://westseattleblog.com/?p=138160#comment-960468 I love vintage and modern architecture and the new design for Genesee looks great!I have a child at Alki and the capacity at 400 is plenty. I do not like the idea of 600+ student elementary schools. We need the Schmitz, Genesee and Arbor Heights sites rebuilt and Fairmont for the increased enrollment we are seeing here in Weast Seattle and another JR High and high school option would be welcomed as well. Yes on the Levy always! I love vintage and modern architecture and the new design for Genesee looks great!I have a child at Alki and the capacity at 400 is plenty. I do not like the idea of 600+ student elementary schools. We need the Schmitz, Genesee and Arbor Heights sites rebuilt and Fairmont for the increased enrollment we are seeing here in Weast Seattle and another JR High and high school option would be welcomed as well. Yes on the Levy always!

]]> By: ejbell http://westseattleblog.com/2013/01/preferred-schematic-design-debuts-for-future-genesee-hill-school#comment-960065 ejbell Fri, 25 Jan 2013 19:10:37 +0000 http://westseattleblog.com/?p=138160#comment-960065 I'd like to raise a few questions to the design team: how will the toxic runoff from the parking lot and the increased run off from the roof tops be handled? Is there a plan for a large French drain or something that will gather the water, filter it and channel it at the east side of the built up area? what plan is there for maintaining darkness after 9 or 10 at night so the street of houses whose back yards face the school will continue to enjoy the natural environment? What plan is in place for mitigating the noise rising from this natural amphitheater into the neighboring gardens? Has extensive investigation taken place to assure the stability of the sloping gardens facing the school? I live one block south of Genesee on 51st SW, so I will not be personally effected by this new construction and design. It does seem to me like an invasion of neighborhood serenity to move the current parking and lighted area on the corner of 51st and Dakota where there is little impact on homes and gardens. Please do not overlook these important aspects of environmental desgradation as you consider this design. Betsy Bell I’d like to raise a few questions to the design team: how will the toxic runoff from the parking lot and the increased run off from the roof tops be handled? Is there a plan for a large French drain or something that will gather the water, filter it and channel it at the east side of the built up area?
what plan is there for maintaining darkness after 9 or 10 at night so the street of houses whose back yards face the school will continue to enjoy the natural environment?
What plan is in place for mitigating the noise rising from this natural amphitheater into the neighboring gardens?
Has extensive investigation taken place to assure the stability of the sloping gardens facing the school?

I live one block south of Genesee on 51st SW, so I will not be personally effected by this new construction and design. It does seem to me like an invasion of neighborhood serenity to move the current parking and lighted area on the corner of 51st and Dakota where there is little impact on homes and gardens. Please do not overlook these important aspects of environmental desgradation as you consider this design. Betsy Bell

]]> By: Kerrie S. http://westseattleblog.com/2013/01/preferred-schematic-design-debuts-for-future-genesee-hill-school#comment-959976 Kerrie S. Fri, 25 Jan 2013 16:26:10 +0000 http://westseattleblog.com/?p=138160#comment-959976 I am an SPS parent (sophomore at WSHS). Regarding the school levies, please be sure you know that there are two different ones, both important: Prop. 1 is an operations and maintenance levy that provides 25% of the district's budget for operations and maintenance. If that levy fails, it will directly and strongly affect all of the kids currently enrolled in Seattle Public Schools--and cause the district's maintenance issues to get even worse. It is not benign neglect that causes the maintenance issues, it is a lack of money. As tempting as it is to punish the district for mismanagement of a very small fraction of its overall budget, I encourage folks to support the kids in their day-to-day schooling and to express your displeasure over fund mismanagement by other means (letters to the superintendent and school board). Prop. 2 is the capital levy that would fund the new building at Genesee Hill and many other projects including seismic improvements at certain schools. Voters have approved three similar levies over the past 15 years, and the district has a very good record of bringing these projects in on time and on budget. For more info: http://www.seattleschools.org/modules/cms/pages.phtml?sessionid=&pageid=204368 By the way, the district is not allowed by law to do anything more than state the facts--no persuasive arguments allowed. The group that pushes for levy approval is SchoolsFirst: http://www.schoolsfirstseattle.org/ I am an SPS parent (sophomore at WSHS). Regarding the school levies, please be sure you know that there are two different ones, both important:

Prop. 1 is an operations and maintenance levy that provides 25% of the district’s budget for operations and maintenance. If that levy fails, it will directly and strongly affect all of the kids currently enrolled in Seattle Public Schools–and cause the district’s maintenance issues to get even worse. It is not benign neglect that causes the maintenance issues, it is a lack of money.

As tempting as it is to punish the district for mismanagement of a very small fraction of its overall budget, I encourage folks to support the kids in their day-to-day schooling and to express your displeasure over fund mismanagement by other means (letters to the superintendent and school board).

Prop. 2 is the capital levy that would fund the new building at Genesee Hill and many other projects including seismic improvements at certain schools. Voters have approved three similar levies over the past 15 years, and the district has a very good record of bringing these projects in on time and on budget.

For more info:
http://www.seattleschools.org/modules/cms/pages.phtml?sessionid=&pageid=204368

By the way, the district is not allowed by law to do anything more than state the facts–no persuasive arguments allowed. The group that pushes for levy approval is SchoolsFirst:
http://www.schoolsfirstseattle.org/

]]> By: David http://westseattleblog.com/2013/01/preferred-schematic-design-debuts-for-future-genesee-hill-school#comment-959784 David Fri, 25 Jan 2013 01:44:51 +0000 http://westseattleblog.com/?p=138160#comment-959784 I am a parent of a child attending Schmidt Park and know first hand of the problems we face with the amount of kids now in grades 1-5. However, what will happen when all these kids try to attend W.S. High? I am a parent of a child attending Schmidt Park and know first hand of the problems we face with the amount of kids now in grades 1-5. However, what will happen when all these kids try to attend W.S. High?

]]> By: george http://westseattleblog.com/2013/01/preferred-schematic-design-debuts-for-future-genesee-hill-school#comment-959754 george Fri, 25 Jan 2013 00:55:12 +0000 http://westseattleblog.com/?p=138160#comment-959754 Yes, we have children in the affected over crowded school. Yes, voting NO on this levy. This District has shown no regard for its revenue sources in the past, why would that change now? Show me something first, then I might agree. Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me 10,000 times... Maybe if/when SPS cuts the hand off that feeds them, they will come to their senses when it comes to developing these programs, changes, and issues. Maybe it will make them work a little harder and smarter. If you keep feeding the beast, how will change ever evolve? NO on BEX. And don't give me the "What about the children" guilt trip. We nurture our kids at home and volunteer at the school. Get involved if you want to invoke change, its not just about the pocket book. Yes, we have children in the affected over crowded school. Yes, voting NO on this levy. This District has shown no regard for its revenue sources in the past, why would that change now? Show me something first, then I might agree. Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me 10,000 times…
Maybe if/when SPS cuts the hand off that feeds them, they will come to their senses when it comes to developing these programs, changes, and issues. Maybe it will make them work a little harder and smarter. If you keep feeding the beast, how will change ever evolve?
NO on BEX. And don’t give me the “What about the children” guilt trip. We nurture our kids at home and volunteer at the school. Get involved if you want to invoke change, its not just about the pocket book.

]]> By: wessyde http://westseattleblog.com/2013/01/preferred-schematic-design-debuts-for-future-genesee-hill-school#comment-959728 wessyde Thu, 24 Jan 2013 23:38:24 +0000 http://westseattleblog.com/?p=138160#comment-959728 Build it as shown! I'm voting for it. Can't believe all these people who are whining about a nickle. My own kid is too old to go to it, but I'm for it. Spend the money on the kids. Build it as shown! I’m voting for it. Can’t believe all these people who are whining about a nickle. My own kid is too old to go to it, but I’m for it. Spend the money on the kids.

]]> By: Wessyde http://westseattleblog.com/2013/01/preferred-schematic-design-debuts-for-future-genesee-hill-school#comment-959714 Wessyde Thu, 24 Jan 2013 23:01:34 +0000 http://westseattleblog.com/?p=138160#comment-959714 I'm right across the street from the school, and I love the this design. I love the reconfigure, the field should be in the sunniest spot available. Hopefully it can be configured for sports. North West Seattle could use another good turf baseball and soccer field! Love the drop off point on 51st (off the main drag of Genessee). I prefer this design over any that I've seen to date. Spend the money on the kids, we are excited about this new school even though our kid is too old to go there now. I’m right across the street from the school, and I love the this design. I love the reconfigure, the field should be in the sunniest spot available. Hopefully it can be configured for sports. North West Seattle could use another good turf baseball and soccer field!

Love the drop off point on 51st (off the main drag of Genessee). I prefer this design over any that I’ve seen to date.

Spend the money on the kids, we are excited about this new school even though our kid is too old to go there now.

]]> By: Melissa Westbrook http://westseattleblog.com/2013/01/preferred-schematic-design-debuts-for-future-genesee-hill-school#comment-959594 Melissa Westbrook Thu, 24 Jan 2013 16:49:14 +0000 http://westseattleblog.com/?p=138160#comment-959594 Why does every school in this city have to be unique or a palace when there is so much need and maintenance of what we do have is decades behind? YES. This looks like it is way over-designed. I cannot believe it has two "bridges" and irregular buildings. We cannot keep building specialty buildings. In fact the BEX Oversight Committee was going to find three elementary blueprints to be used for the district to keep those costs down. As someone who knows capital issues in this district, I am very disappointed. KC on the Hill, I have never quite heard the answer as to why Schmitz Park is moving. Is their site too small to build bigger? Why does every school in this city have to be unique or a palace when there is so much need and maintenance of what we do have is decades behind?

YES.

This looks like it is way over-designed. I cannot believe it has two “bridges” and irregular buildings. We cannot keep building specialty buildings. In fact the BEX Oversight Committee was going to find three elementary blueprints to be used for the district to keep those costs down.

As someone who knows capital issues in this district, I am very disappointed.

KC on the Hill, I have never quite heard the answer as to why Schmitz Park is moving. Is their site too small to build bigger?

]]> By: kc on the hill http://westseattleblog.com/2013/01/preferred-schematic-design-debuts-for-future-genesee-hill-school#comment-959469 kc on the hill Thu, 24 Jan 2013 06:45:18 +0000 http://westseattleblog.com/?p=138160#comment-959469 Why on earth would they not re develop the Schmitz park site. with a level site and acerage being of relative the same. Construction cost would have to be lower. Years ago when the Schimtz family GAVE the property to the city or school district to be used as a school out of need for more school space, this does notappear to be a proper Thank You Here we are 50 years telling that same very supportive family "thanks but no thanks" Who on earth is running things at SPS. Seemsthe just want to build new instead of maintain. Lack of maintenace will lead to replacement. If I am not mistaken if the Schmitz park is not used as a school the property could revert backto the family??? Why on earth would they not re develop the Schmitz park site. with a level site and acerage being of relative the same. Construction cost would have to be lower. Years ago when the Schimtz family GAVE the property to the city or school district to be used as a school out of need for more school space, this does notappear to be a proper Thank You Here we are 50 years telling that same very supportive family “thanks but no thanks” Who on earth is running things at SPS. Seemsthe just want to build new instead of maintain. Lack of maintenace will lead to replacement. If I am not mistaken if the Schmitz park is not used as a school the property could revert backto the family???

]]> By: Happiness http://westseattleblog.com/2013/01/preferred-schematic-design-debuts-for-future-genesee-hill-school#comment-959463 Happiness Thu, 24 Jan 2013 06:22:48 +0000 http://westseattleblog.com/?p=138160#comment-959463 Interesting that the proposed new building is situated such that it appears that it could be built while leaving most of the old building in place. Is there any chance that this is an intentional feature of the design? So the old classrooms could be used for a couple years, if necessary, to alleviate crowding while other schools are being built? Interesting that the proposed new building is situated such that it appears that it could be built while leaving most of the old building in place. Is there any chance that this is an intentional feature of the design? So the old classrooms could be used for a couple years, if necessary, to alleviate crowding while other schools are being built?

]]> By: Theresa http://westseattleblog.com/2013/01/preferred-schematic-design-debuts-for-future-genesee-hill-school#comment-959430 Theresa Thu, 24 Jan 2013 05:37:29 +0000 http://westseattleblog.com/?p=138160#comment-959430 I'm glad to hear these are only preliminary plans. I hope that safe routes for student and staff who will be riding their bikes and walking are considered a very important part of the final plans. I wished they would have been included in the beginning so we can make sure we get it right the first time so we won't have to go back after everything is built to made revisions. We need to make sure to welcome and accommodate all modes of transportation. And make sure there are covered racks for bicycles. Our kids need to be encouraged to ride bikes and walk to school. I’m glad to hear these are only preliminary plans. I hope that safe routes for student and staff who will be riding their bikes and walking are considered a very important part of the final plans. I wished they would have been included in the beginning so we can make sure we get it right the first time so we won’t have to go back after everything is built to made revisions. We need to make sure to welcome and accommodate all modes of transportation. And make sure there are covered racks for bicycles. Our kids need to be encouraged to ride bikes and walk to school.

]]> By: Holly McCracken http://westseattleblog.com/2013/01/preferred-schematic-design-debuts-for-future-genesee-hill-school#comment-959427 Holly McCracken Thu, 24 Jan 2013 05:27:08 +0000 http://westseattleblog.com/?p=138160#comment-959427 I am an adjacent property owner, and am disappointed that the preferred option was not presented two weeks ago at a community meeting. We got a last minute notice that the roll-out would be last night. I will work through all avenues to provide more comments. Adding an active parking lot and paving over a field to put a new field in a place where there's already parking is counter-intuitive. Further, the lower area is a bowl and will channel the fumes and noise into our homes. And how tall will the satellite buildings be? Will they be looking into our living rooms? Further, it looks like putting a new field on the SW corner would not allow for the community use that we all love. Would there really be enough space or welcome to throw a frisbee or walk a dog? I am an adjacent property owner, and am disappointed that the preferred option was not presented two weeks ago at a community meeting. We got a last minute notice that the roll-out would be last night. I will work through all avenues to provide more comments.

Adding an active parking lot and paving over a field to put a new field in a place where there’s already parking is counter-intuitive. Further, the lower area is a bowl and will channel the fumes and noise into our homes. And how tall will the satellite buildings be? Will they be looking into our living rooms?

Further, it looks like putting a new field on the SW corner would not allow for the community use that we all love. Would there really be enough space or welcome to throw a frisbee or walk a dog?

]]> By: Curious http://westseattleblog.com/2013/01/preferred-schematic-design-debuts-for-future-genesee-hill-school#comment-959424 Curious Thu, 24 Jan 2013 05:16:13 +0000 http://westseattleblog.com/?p=138160#comment-959424 No on BEX - just curious what school your child attends. Are you aware of the necessity of these funds? How would you vote if your child was an Arbor Heights student? Sure, there has been mismanagement of funds in the past but why give up the hope? Instead of voting no out of spite, why not champion change? Because Voting no is an automatic fail. Voting yes for the levy is not a perfect solution but it is the one with potential. No on BEX – just curious what school your child attends. Are you aware of the necessity of these funds? How would you vote if your child was an Arbor Heights student? Sure, there has been mismanagement of funds in the past but why give up the hope? Instead of voting no out of spite, why not champion change? Because Voting no is an automatic fail. Voting yes for the levy is not a perfect solution but it is the one with potential.

]]> By: No on BEX http://westseattleblog.com/2013/01/preferred-schematic-design-debuts-for-future-genesee-hill-school#comment-959404 No on BEX Thu, 24 Jan 2013 04:44:37 +0000 http://westseattleblog.com/?p=138160#comment-959404 Give me a break BUDDY. I dont need to explain myself. Btw, someone is signed in as yes on BEX but no comment on that one, right? Yes, I am a parent of a child in SPS and hate it. No, not a homeschooler or hillbilly as you referred to me. I will vote no and continue to tell everyone I know to do the same. SPSD has mismanaged money over and over. I am not about to vote to give them more. I don't trust a thing they say. Give me a break BUDDY. I dont need to explain myself. Btw, someone is signed in as yes on BEX but no comment on that one, right? Yes, I am a parent of a child in SPS and hate it. No, not a homeschooler or hillbilly as you referred to me. I will vote no and continue to tell everyone I know to do the same. SPSD has mismanaged money over and over. I am not about to vote to give them more. I don’t trust a thing they say.

]]> By: Buddy http://westseattleblog.com/2013/01/preferred-schematic-design-debuts-for-future-genesee-hill-school#comment-959402 Buddy Thu, 24 Jan 2013 04:36:33 +0000 http://westseattleblog.com/?p=138160#comment-959402 Not a teacher... but I am very supportive of investing in the resources that they need. I'm also a proponent of investing in the community... and Im tired of hearing people grip about paying for things. Not a teacher… but I am very supportive of investing in the resources that they need. I’m also a proponent of investing in the community… and Im tired of hearing people grip about paying for things.

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