BROWN REVIEWS PROGRESS OF PHELPS DURING TOUR WITH OFFICE OF PUBLIC FACILITIES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
On Time & On Budget: Providing more development opportunities for District youth
On Thursday, Councilmember Kwame Brown walked the hard hat construction site of new the Phelps Architecture, Construction and Engineering High School, along with the Office of Public Education and Facilities Modernization Executive Director, Allen Y. Lew. Guided by OPEFM project managers, Brown reviewed the progress made since its groundbreaking held July 2007. As workers diligently moved about the scaffold outdoors, Brown and Mr. Lew walked the concrete hallways and discussed the innovative classroom design, which will be fully equipped woood shops and even a food court-styled cafeteria. Combining the applied sciences of engineering, architecture and construction, Phelps may become the only high school in the country to offer all three disciplines in a vocational setting.
Brown anticipates that the rigorous curriculum would prepare aspiring developers and contractors with the skills necessary to compete and meet the needs of the rising "This is more than a trade school," said Brown. "Phelps is a state of the art technical learning institute that reaches far beyond bricks and mortar." "Students will get the foundation necessary to build a rewarding career while having all their development options before them to exceed our expectations. Finally, our students will be able to participate and compete with our demanding workforce. When we can offer our students better opportunities for growth than what we once had, that is true progress." To date, all demolition work including site work and footings are complete for the construction of the new administrative building. Interior masonry wall conStruction is complete. All design decisions are being made using LEED design criteria in order to achieve the goal of LEED certification. Councilmember Brown looks forward to seeing what began as a legislative initiative to new learning opportunities that will open doors for currently enrolled DC Public School students. Igniting educational reform, Brown co-introduced the law “School Modernization Financing Act of 2005, providing the largest funding increase of the District’s public educational system. In 2006, Brown authored the amendment to the “School Modernization Financing Act of 2005,” to earmark funds to reopen Phelps by Fall 2008. April 2007, Brown along with members of the D.C. Council approved emergency actions for $30 million to rebuild Phelps. Reopening of the career facility will provide students with the necessary training to meet the demand future construction opportunities throughout the city.
About Phelps Architecture, Construction and Engineering High School: (pictured below)
In 1934 the Cardozo Vocational School was moved to a newly constructed facility on the Hilltop campus overlooking the Anacostia River. The original Phelps students were trained in the areas of Bricklaying, Carpentry, Mechanical Drawing as well as Machine Shop and Shoe Repair. By 1944, the program was elevated to the level of Senior High School. When Phelps Architecture, Construction and Engineering High School reopens in 2008, it will mark the continuation of the Career and Technical Education in DC Public Schools and the rebirth of Phelps High School. Phelps will be a comprehensive high school that will prepare students for higher education with a specialization in careers associated with architecture, construction and engineering industries.
DCRA LAUNCHES ITS ONLINE PERMIT SITE
The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA)launched its Online Supplemental Permit site for use by licensed DC contractors in the electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and air conditioning/refrigeration trades. The expanded capability lets contractors apply, pay for and get supplemental permits — entirely over the Internet, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Supplemental permits cover systems such as electrical, plumbing and gas, air conditioning and refrigeration, fuel burning equipment, miniature boilers, and unfired pressure vessels. This is DCRA’s second online permit option: the first, Online Postcard Permits, was implemented in August 2007.
To start the Supplemental Permit application process, each customer should: Set up an email address, if he or she doesn’t have one
Go to dcra.dc.gov Click on the Permits link
Click on Get a Supplemental Permit Online
Read the directions carefully to make sure the property doesn’t have special requirements
Follow the steps from there
Each permit must be paid for online with a credit card. When the application is complete and paid for, the supplemental permit is issued as an Adobe PDF file. This file can be printed and can be saved on a personal computer. **************************************************************************************************** DSLBD ANNOUNCES CLARK CONSTRUCTION BID OPPORTUNITIES The DC Department of Small and Local Business announces the following private sector contracting and business opportunity. Clark Construction Group, LLC invites interested parties to submit a bid on five upcoming projects. CBEs must be registered with Clark Construction to respond to bids, and are encouraged to participate.
Bid Documents can be viewed at: The Dodge Plan Room, the CMD Plan Room and The Clark Construction Plan Room at 7500 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, Maryland, 20814. For your convenience, on bid day only, you can call directly into the Clark Construction bid room by phone/ (301) 272-8200 or fax/ (301) 272-1922.
Prior to bid day, address all correspondence to: Clark Construction Group, LLC, 7500 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, Maryland, 20814.
BROWN TO HOST SPECIAL SCREENING OF "THE GREAT DEBATERS" FOR DC's YOUTH
(photo: www.thegreatdebatersmovie.com)
In partnership with the DC Office of Motion Picture and Television Development, Peaceoholics and the DC Public Schools Office of Partnerships, Councilmember Brown will host a special screening of the "The Great Debaters," on Wednesday, February 27. The film, based on a true story, revolves around the efforts of debate coach Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington) at historically black Wiley College to place his team on equal footing with whites in the American south during the 1930s, when lynch mobs and Jim Crow laws abounded. The film tracks both triumph of the debate team while identifying social obstacles they overcame. Although the film was released on December 25, 2007, Councilmember Brown saw fit host a screening during Black history month to both raise awareness and motivate youth to action. "I don't want this to be a recreational experience, where our young people just come to watch another hollywood movie, eat popcorn and leave," said Brown. "I want this story to ring true in their hearts, reminding them of the obligation we each have to teach someone else. Mr. Tolson was one man who decided to change his surroundings. Our children need to know that they are of value and they can impact change, right now; where they are." Following the screening, students will hold a post discussion, moderated by youth leaders and Peaceoholics Co-founders Ronald Moten and Jauhar Abraham to discuss how present day obstacles must be tackled with the same tenacity demonstrated by the Wiley students. All students registered for the event will be encouraged to sign the student/youth engagement pledge and solidify their commitment by pre-registering to volunteer to read to students at their local elementary schools. All attendees will receive the DCPS volunteering application to complete and submit to the Office of Partnerships.
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BROWN TO TOUR NEW NATIONALS BALLPARK WITH MAYOR'S YOUTH LEADERS
On Friday's day off for DC Public School students, Youth leaders of the District of Columbia will be starting day touring the new home of the Washington Nationals. During of one the monthly Committee of the Whole Youth hearings, chaired by Vincent Gray, representatives from the Mayor's Youth Institute expressed interest in touring the new ballpark as a way to take part in the development activities of the District.
Brown, a former MYLI participant, requested the tour and looks forward to meeting with the youth leaders "It's good to see our youth come down to city hall to voice their opinions and offer solutions as to how we can provide better services for them," said Brown. Seeing this project in its final stages will not only allow them to learn more about baseball but also visualize themselves occupying the many career positions that exist in the sports industry." About the Mayor's Youth Leadership Institute: The Mayor's Youth Leadership Institute (MYLI) was founded in 1979 as a year-round program to train District of Columbia youth in the concepts of leadership and self-development. The MYLI training model emphasizes practical, hands-on experience and a holistic approach to developing leaders for the 21st century. Each year, 250 young people participate in the year-round program and 500 youth participate in the Summer Training Program. Thousands of DC youth have received leadership training to date. Members of the Institute come from a wide cross-section of ethnic, cultural, and economic backgrounds, reflective of the general population of the city. Leadership development training begins for members of the Institute at age 14, and generally concludes at age 17, when they are ready for college or other post-secondary opportunities. The Institute is strongly supported by its Alumni Association, an auxiliary group which meets regularly to generate support for the Institute.
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CALLING ALL DISTRICT YOUTH: REGISTER FOR 2008 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM REIGISTRATION AND CAREER EXPO! The Department of Employment Services (DOES) is hosting the 2008 Summer Youth Program Registration and Career Expo on Friday, February 29, 2008 at the Walter Washington Convention Center, located at 801 Mt. Vernon Place, NW. The exposition of summer employers and training providers will be held from 10 am to 4 pm. Young adults, ages 14 – 21, who are interested in summer employment are urged to register early for summer jobs. This year, more than 14,000 young residents are expected to register for work experience and academic enrichment activities through the DOES Passport-to-Work Summer Youth Program. The 2008 summer program will operate for ten weeks beginning June 16 through August 22. Participants, ages 14 -21, will have an opportunity to acquire basic professional work skills. Young adults assigned to work at District and federal government agencies, and non-profit organizations are paid a federal minimum wage rate of $5.85 per hour. Student applicants competing for private and selected federal government positions, may work up to 40 hours a week and earn up to $12 an hour, depending on previous work experience and job responsibilities. Registering participants must complete the 2008 Summer Youth Application and a signed parental Certification and Consent Form, if under age 18, and submit documented proof of District residency, date of birth, citizenship/permanent residency, and a Social Security Card. The 2008 Summer Youth Program is a component of the Department of Employment Services’ Passport-to-Work Youth Program, which ensures that District youth are consistently developing the skills and aptitude necessary to succeed in a competitive labor market. For additional information on the 2008 Summer Youth Program, contact the Department of Employment Services’ Office of Youth Programs at does.dc.gov, click on Youth Services, or call (202) 698-3991.
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