You just can't make this stuff up.

Samaha Associates, the Virginia firm responsible for the Great Wall of Cabin John, that so infuriated a community, is the architect hired by the Board to develop a site plan to replace our beloved Rock Creek Hills Park with an inadequate middle school.

Here is the text of the email announcement of the "Facility Advisory Committee":

To: Owner Or Current Resident

From: Dennis F. Cross, AIA, , Project Manager

Subject: Bethesda Chevy Chase Middle School # 2 - New School

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is about to conduct a Feasibility Study for a new middle school to be located at Rock Creek Hills Local Park, 3701 Saul Road, Kensington, MD 20895, a former school site.

The design is being conducted by a Facility Advisory Committee (FAC) that is chaired by the Westland Middle School Principal; Mr. Daniel J. Vogelman. The FAC will include representatives of the schools, PTA, neighbors, government agencies, the design architects, Samaha Architects, and staff from MCPS Division of Construction.

The purpose of these meetings is to develop a preliminary design for the school project. It is an evolving process whereby input from the previous meeting is incorporated into the ongoing proposed design. These meetings are to determine spatial relationships within the school's interior, the pedestrian and traffic flow of the site and how the school will fit into the community at large.

As shown below, the FAC meeting/work sessions are scheduled in the afternoons and evenings to allow maximum community involvement.

FAC Work Session Meeting #1 Wednesday, June 8, 2011 7:00 pm BCC HS Choral Room

FAC Work Session Meeting #2 Wednesday, June 22 2011 2:00 pm BCC HS Choral Room

FAC Work Session Meeting #3 Wednesday, July 13, 2011 7:00 pm BCC HS Choral Room

FAC Work Session Meeting #4 Thursday, July 28, 2011 2:00 pm BCC HS Choral Room

FAC Work Session Meeting #5 Wednesday, August, 10, 2011 7:00 pm BCC HS Choral Room

FAC Work Session Meeting #6 Wednesday, August, 17, 2011 2:00 pm BCC HS Choral Room

FAC PTA/Community Presentation Thursday, September, 8, 2011 7:00 pm Westland MS

This letter is to inform you of the schedule for the design process and to encourage you to participate. While all are invited, the community is encouraged to send representatives from their respective streets, areas, and community associations. Everyone present will hear about the design process, its timetable, and the plans for keeping people informed about the project.

If you would like to participate, please contact me at 240-876-4586 or send an email to dennis_cross@mcpsmd.org.

Respectfully,

Dennis F. Cross, AIA

Project Manager

There are a lot of gems there, including the myth of the former school site, but if we had to choose, our favorite would be the proposition that scheduling meetings weekdays at 2 PM, which conflicts both with normal working hours and with obligations to pick up kids after school, is done "... to allow maximum community involvement."

We encourage people to attend. But don't forget, no matter what happens at these meetings, you just can't predict what might happen later, "... after the community involvement portion." Oh, wait, maybe you can...