Richards Exterior Space – An Equitable Response

Description of Issue
The expansion of the Richards School building onto the current location of the 19-space staff parking lot
necessitates reallocation of exterior space at the school, specifically involving the relocation of the school's on-site
parking. The new multipurpose room at Richards will have benefits for students, staff, and the community alike.
The reallocation of exterior space at the school should have a similarly equitable impact.

The exterior of Richards is currently used for two main purposes: staff parking, and space for children to play and
exercise. An equitable response to the building addition maintains the current proportional division between these
two exterior site uses. Two options are available to achieve this equity: 1) Develop currently unused space for
either parking or play/exercise, or 2) A proportional loss of space for each use – less room for staff to park, and
less room for kids to play and exercise.
The school district has drafted seven proposals for relocating the parking lot at Richards:
http://www.wfbschools.com/District/PRESS%20RELEASE-RI%20Parking%20Lot%20Options.pdf

Proposal Description Equitable

Option 1: A two-row parking lot with up to 30 spaces located between the tennis courts and the
Richards building. This option represents up to a 50 percent increase in the number of parking
spaces on-site, thereby dramatically driving up the current proportion of exterior space dedicated to
staff parking and significantly decreasing the current proportion of exterior space used for kids to
play and exercise. In addition, this option blocks a critical exterior exit for kids in case of an
emergency, creating a potentially dangerous situation.
Option 1A: A single-row parking lot with an estimated 13 spaces located along the outside of the
western fence of the tennis courts. This option represents a roughly proportional loss in parking and
play/exercise space. In addition, by blending in with the current footprint and layout, this option is a
highly cost-effective approach.
Option 2: A two-row parking lot with up to 27 spaces located on the existing tennis courts space,
running parallel with Day Avenue. This option represents up to a 40 percent increase in the number
of parking spaces on-site, thereby dramatically driving up the current proportion of exterior space
dedicated to staff parking and significantly decreasing the current proportion of exterior space used
for kids to play and exercise. In addition, this option completely eliminates the use of the
multifunctional tennis courts.
Option 3: A two-row parking lot with up to 27 spaces located on the eastern side of the tennis courts
space, running perpendicular with Day Avenue. This option represents up to a 40 percent increase in
the number of parking spaces on-site, thereby dramatically driving up the current proportion of
exterior space dedicated to staff parking and significantly decreasing the current proportion of
exterior space used for kids to play and exercise. In addition, this option eliminates the use of 50
percent of the space for multifunctional tennis courts.
Options 4 and 4A: A single-row parking area with roughly 19 spaces adjacent to the alley along the
east side of the rear green space. Option 4 uses the current alley access point for entering/exiting the
new parking area, while Option 4A uses a new access point on school property. Since these options
utilize currently unused space, they maintain the current proportion of space used for parking and
play/exercise. In addition, they benefit from placing the parking access point on the same road as
the current parking lot access point, Belle Avenue, which is less-trafficked by children before and
after school.
Option 5: No on-site staff parking. This option represents a dramatic proportional increase in the
exterior space used for play/exercise relative to staff parking. By placing all staff parking on the
street, this option also has the potential to have a significant impact on street congestion. In addition,
this option would require some accommodation on-site or in the immediate vicinity of the building
for two disabled parking spaces.

What You Can Do

The WFB School Board is holding a public hearing and meeting on the Richards parking lot issue on Wednesday,
June 2 at 7:00pm in Room 47 of the WFB High School. This meeting presents the best opportunity to share your
views with board members, district administrators, and the architects for the project.

If you are unable to attend the meeting, please share your thoughts via email with the following individuals:
• James Rickabaugh, District Superintendent, Jim.Rickabaugh@wfbschools.com, 414-963-3901
• Shawn Yde, District Business Manager, Shawn.Yde@wfbschools.com, 414-963-3959
• Marie Greco, School Board President, Marie.Greco@wfbschools.com, 414-963-4446