Panel on McMillan’s History Tonight
"Our McMillan," a group of local Bloomingdale activists pushing for more green space in the McMillan development, is hosting a panel discussion on the site's history tonight.
The event will be held at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 160 U Street, from 7 to 9 PM. The announcement says a "panel of architects and historic preservation experts will explain the McMillan Sand Filtration Site’s historic and technological significance and present exciting alternatives for its revival. Bring questions!"
According to event organizer Robin Buck, those speakers include:
Richard Houghton, a architect and Brookland resident, and member of the Committee of 100 on the Federal City
Dr. Cynthia R. Field, a lecturer for the Catholic University of America School of Architecture. She is the former of Chair of Architectural History and Historic Preservation at the Smithsonian, from which she retired in 2006. She is presently the Architectural Historian Emeritus at the Smithsonian and continues to conduct research, publish, and teach.
Deborah L. Crain, the DC Office of Planning Neighborhood Planner for Ward 5. Before joining the Office of Planning, Ms. Crain was the Program Manager for the Districts’ Operation Weed and Seed initiative. She began her work as community organizer while employed by the National Association of Neighborhoods. Ms. Crain brings to the Office of Planning over twenty years of community organizing skills and is a member of the American Planning Association.
Tony Norman, a longtime neighborhood resident who was involved in the site’s historic designation in 1991, and recently toured community members through McMillan.
11:22 am
Ruth,
I believe you are really mistaken on the residents who attended this meeting. You might want to get your facts correct. Most of these people in attendance to these meeting are not from Bloomingdale at all.
As for Ms. Buck, she is against any development on this site and has publicly stated such. She is a resident of a gated community, Park Place and it's outrageous that she even comments on such things. If she really wanted to be a part of this neighborhood she might start with her own ommunity of Park Place and get the fence taken down and the entrances opened. She has complained about traffic in her area, but there is only one entrance to her community. Talk about open to the community. When she get's the HOA of Park Place to fix those things and get the security guard out of the entrance then she might gain some respect of her opinions. On top of that she is running a business out of her residence which is illegal. You really need to review the caliber of voices you quote in your news.
11:40 am
This post says nothing about the meeting attendees, other than the panel experts. I published it before the meeting actually took place. As for Robin Buck, if you want to challenge her on her entire existence, you should take that up with her.
8:40 pm
First of all "The Commiss" it's obvious you did not attend the meeting because most of the individuals attending did in fact live in Bloomingdale. There were some from Brookland, Ledroit and Pleasant Plains.
McMIllan is designated a D.C. Historic Landmark and was highly recommend to the National Registry of Historic sites by the D.C. Historic Preservation Board.
the Site has importance to more than just Bloomingdale and Ward 5 in is a city wide if not nation wide concern.
12:46 pm
Mr. Norman,
No I didn't because Our McMillan it is a rouge group attempting to stop all development on the site, by side tracking the public RFP process. McMillan ia a historial site I agree, but I question how historical 25 arces are to preserving the hisotry of water fileration. The site has some importance, but really not of nation wide concern, please! My family bulit the water system in Baltimore, so i have a special concern over water systems and the historical aspects of these systems are near and dear to me, but preserving 25 arces for it is crazy! Having some of the area perserved like a few cells and a pump house along with having an interactive exhibit is more appropriate!
11:41 am
"As for Ms. Buck, she is against any development on this site and has publicly stated such...."
That is a blatant lie. Barrie, you should be ashamed.
"Our McMillan" is community residents advocating for reclaiming this Historic District Landmark and repurposing it to meet the needs of our neighborhoods today and serve our City well into the future.
As for the Commissioner's other accusations, I do live in Park Place (just across the street from McMillan) and yes, it is gated. In my home office, I set up interior design consulting appointments, prepare designs and write. I moved here five years ago to live with my fiance who purchased a condo because it was an affordable place to raise two young daughters. Park Place offered an outdoor parking lot and a small backyard in which to play. I am blessed with a lovely patio and garden and grass to feel beneath my feet. AND I THINK MY NEIGHBORS DESERVE AS MUCH FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN.
If my "agenda" were self-serving, I'd be cosying up to EYA hoping to get some interior design business from them.
For those interested in viewing some exciting, inspiring and VIABLE development possibilities for McMillan, please visit OURMCMILLAN.COM. We will be adding additional graphics (from a variety of architects) to the site over the next few days, along with historical information and other data.
7:55 pm
reading the words miss danaker makes me understand why most public officials don't comment online.