Plans for the Wilson School

Notes from a meeting of Stan Karson (Radnor Heights/Ft.Myers Civic Association) and Mark Antell (North Rosslyn Civic Association), with Dave Foster (Chair, Arlington County School Board) - March 6, 2006.

Dave greeted us cordially and told us that our interest in Wilson School is very timely because the Capital Improvement Budget, due to be released in draft in early May, will include long-term plans for Wilson School. Dave asked whether our main concern about Wilson School was removal of the trailers. That might be accomplished as part of a redevelopment plan which might include housing, commercial and parkland. Dave then asked what we hoped for the short term and long term at Wilson School.
Both Stan and Mark agreed that we would like to continue using Wilson School for Civic Association meetings. We also both indicated that we would like the trailers removed and the playfield restored. Both Stan and Mark pointed out that parks with organized playfields are pretty scarce in the downtown Rosslyn area. There's a couple of basketball courts and that's about it. Without the Wilson School field, there is no playfield within a mile of downtown Rosslyn. We also indicated that we'd hope that the Wilson School building could be retained for administrative offices, or perhaps for a special use similarly to the Maury School at 3550 Wilson which now houses the Arlington Arts Center. The Wilson School is a grand old building.

Both Stan and Mark intend to touch base with our communities to confirm (or not) their strong support for restoration, as opposed to development, of the Wilson School playfield. Additional efforts, including meetings with school planning staff, other school board members, and possibly the Arlington County Board, will be based on community perspective.