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Security upgrades at Hoover Building may liven up dull block

By WTOP Staff

The General Services Administration is eyeing a long, drab but well traveled D.C. block for a series of pedestrian-friendly upgrades.

The massive Herbert C. Hoover Building, home to the Commerce Department, is a foreboding structure running the length of 14th and 15th streets NW between Constitution and Pennsylvania avenues. The building is undergoing a phased overhaul, which is expected to continue through 2020 and cost upward of $600 million.

The GSA’s latest proposal, on the National Capital Planning Commission’s Thursday docket, is for perimeter security. While the GSA’s overarching goal is to protect the historic building and the 3,000 employees who work inside with fences and bollards, the end result may be a more welcoming block.

The NCPC will consider a concept site design plan for a secure boundary around the Hoover Building (not that Hoover Building) to include a cable-rail system concealed by stone-clad walls and piers, collapsible sidewalks, two reflecting pools on 14th Street, seating areas with benches and two Capital Bikeshare stations — one at 15th and Pennsylvania.

The GSA describes that block as a “long and monotonous stretch of sidewalk,” despite its close proximity to the White House, the National Mall, Pershing Park, Freedom Plaza and the Ronald Reagan Building. The Constitution and Pennsylvania Avenue sides of the building are 415 feet, the length of a normal city block. But the 14th and 15th Street sides are 1,169 feet long.

The NCPC approved the first phase of the Hoover building modernization in 2007, and the concept design for a new Constitution Avenue entrance to the National Aquarium in 2010.

The issue for the congressionally-chartered planning panel has always been perimeter security, specifically the NCPC’s distaste for security elements that breach the public space. The GSA, based on its most recent submission, continues to argue that security elements will have to be located in the “public realm,” but in a way that “complements the style and scale of the building and site.”

The NCPC staff reports suggests that “unique site conditions,” specifically the opening of major tourist attractions nearby (the National Museum of African American History and Culture, for one) may justify an exception to the public space policy in this case. But the GSA will have to demonstrate in future submissions that security barriers cannot be avoided and will be integrated into the urban landscape.

The rectangular, 1.8 million-square-foot, seven-story Herbert C. Hoover Building features six interior courtyards and more than 3,300 rooms joined by 1,000-foot-long unbroken corridors. When it was constructed more than 70 years ago, it was the largest office building in the world.

In 2009, Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., submitted a budget amendment to reduce funding for the Hoover building project, arguing that while some renovations may be necessary, “it is questionable that ‘historic restoration’ and ‘new bicycle racks’ should be prioritized at this point in time given the tough economic circumstances Americans find themselves in.”

His amendment was ruled out of order.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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