Renovation of Woodrow Wilson Library to start in September 2013
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| A rendering of a renovated Woodrow Wilson Library. |
The Fairfax County Department of Public Works (DPW) is
proceeding with plans to expand the Woodrow Wilson Library in Bailey’s
Crossroads after discussions about creating a combined school/library facility to resolve overcrowding at Bailey’s Elementary School failed to get
anywhere.
proceeding with plans to expand the Woodrow Wilson Library in Bailey’s
Crossroads after discussions about creating a combined school/library facility to resolve overcrowding at Bailey’s Elementary School failed to get
anywhere.
Joan Beacham of the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services described the renovation plans at the Oct. 23 meeting of the Mason District Land Use Committee.
An additional 2,130 square feet would be added to the
12,300-square foot library to accommodate more space for quiet studying, 24
computers for public use, and a large meeting room that could stay open after
hours. The interior layout would be improved, and the entrance would be moved
to the corner facing Knollwood Drive and the parking lot. The collection of reading
materials would be slightly reduced.
12,300-square foot library to accommodate more space for quiet studying, 24
computers for public use, and a large meeting room that could stay open after
hours. The interior layout would be improved, and the entrance would be moved
to the corner facing Knollwood Drive and the parking lot. The collection of reading
materials would be slightly reduced.
Construction would start in September 2013 and the library
could reopen in early 2015. During construction, the library would be relocated
to a temporary space.
The Wilson Library is next door to Bailey’s Elementary School. Several months ago, a group of Bailey’s parents suggested using the
library renovation to help alleviate severe overcrowding at the school by moving
some classrooms to the library building. Bailey’s is way over its capacity of
1,049 students. Current enrollment is 1,321,
and it’s expected to reach 1,559 by 2016.
library renovation to help alleviate severe overcrowding at the school by moving
some classrooms to the library building. Bailey’s is way over its capacity of
1,049 students. Current enrollment is 1,321,
and it’s expected to reach 1,559 by 2016.
Bailey’s PTA members, Fairfax County library
officials, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), and Mason Supervisor Penny
Gross were involved in discussions on the proposal, which also included the idea of creating a “community school” incorporating various community agencies into the facility, as well.
officials, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), and Mason Supervisor Penny
Gross were involved in discussions on the proposal, which also included the idea of creating a “community school” incorporating various community agencies into the facility, as well.
FCPS Chief Operating Officer Dean Tistadt even had his staff
draw up plans showing what a combined school/library could look like, and FCPS
offered to fund the entire cost of the project except for the library
furnishings. Under that plan, the library would continue to be owned by the Board
of Supervisors, and FCPS would acquire nearby parkland from the Fairfax County Park
Authority.
draw up plans showing what a combined school/library could look like, and FCPS
offered to fund the entire cost of the project except for the library
furnishings. Under that plan, the library would continue to be owned by the Board
of Supervisors, and FCPS would acquire nearby parkland from the Fairfax County Park
Authority.
According to Bailey’s parent Suzie Phipps, “We were
ultimately told that it was too far along for this to be done. We were
also told (before any plans were drawn up by FCPS) that there were too many
zoning barriers and that the project wouldn’t be possible.”
ultimately told that it was too far along for this to be done. We were
also told (before any plans were drawn up by FCPS) that there were too many
zoning barriers and that the project wouldn’t be possible.”
The library renovation is funded by a library bond passed in
2004, and the bond funds have to be committed, with construction started, by
November 2014.
2004, and the bond funds have to be committed, with construction started, by
November 2014.
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| Student art is displayed on the exterior walls of Bailey’s Elementary School. |
2 responses to “Renovation of Woodrow Wilson Library to start in September 2013”
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George Mason library is already being used as warehousing for students of Springfield Academy with disastrous results. Shrieking, shoving mobs of children are dumped with minimal supervision and hence minimal manners.
The property owners whose taxes built this library are being driven out by the pandemonium. Illegal immigrants in public housing do not pay property taxes. Property owners should not be driven out of the library because all the Prince William illegals don't fit in the school system.
To say the problem with overcrowding at Baileys is a problem is a massive understatement! And as mentioned above, the problem is only getting worse as there are many, many young children born to the residents of Culmore that are on the horizon.
The PTA there is very active and hard working and I can't blame them for putting forth some sort of solution. Many of the students there already have to take classes in trailers and that still in not nearly enough.
I had children that went there but I had no other choice but to go ahead and pull them out