WASHPO: Late-night maneuvering gives Harris building to UDC for community college
Go
HERE to read the full article.
By Mike DeBonis
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, May 31, 2010; B01
The slash to the streetcar program wasn't the only big change to the city budget made in the middle of the night.
Via little-noticed language that first appeared in budget legislation released after 2 a.m. Wednesday, the Patricia R. Harris Education Center in Ward 8 would be removed from the city's real estate portfolio and transferred to the control of the University of the District of Columbia for use as a campus for its newly established community college. The move, along with other budget provisions, awaits a final council vote next month.
Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray (D) included the transfer hours before Wednesday's initial vote on the fiscal 2011 budget at the behest of council member Marion Barry (D-Ward 8).
"I'm one of the strongest supporters of UDC on the council," Barry said late last week. "Launching this community college, I've always insisted that we have a campus east of the river in Ward 8." Barry added that he approached Gray about including the transfer in the budget "three or four days ago."
It isn't the first time the council has used the city budget to appropriate a shuttered school building for UDC's use. Last year, the council took Bertie Backus Middle School -- located on a valuable site near the Fort Totten Metro station -- and handed it to UDC for its community college over the objections of mayoral officials, including City Administrator Neil O. Albert.
View Larger Map
To submit an article or to inquire about advertising options send an email to Advoc8te@congressheightsontherise.com
By Mike DeBonis
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, May 31, 2010; B01
The slash to the streetcar program wasn't the only big change to the city budget made in the middle of the night.
Via little-noticed language that first appeared in budget legislation released after 2 a.m. Wednesday, the Patricia R. Harris Education Center in Ward 8 would be removed from the city's real estate portfolio and transferred to the control of the University of the District of Columbia for use as a campus for its newly established community college. The move, along with other budget provisions, awaits a final council vote next month.
Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray (D) included the transfer hours before Wednesday's initial vote on the fiscal 2011 budget at the behest of council member Marion Barry (D-Ward 8).
"I'm one of the strongest supporters of UDC on the council," Barry said late last week. "Launching this community college, I've always insisted that we have a campus east of the river in Ward 8." Barry added that he approached Gray about including the transfer in the budget "three or four days ago."
It isn't the first time the council has used the city budget to appropriate a shuttered school building for UDC's use. Last year, the council took Bertie Backus Middle School -- located on a valuable site near the Fort Totten Metro station -- and handed it to UDC for its community college over the objections of mayoral officials, including City Administrator Neil O. Albert.
View Larger Map
To submit an article or to inquire about advertising options send an email to Advoc8te@congressheightsontherise.com