The Issue: The saga between neighborhood residents and the District of Columbia Public Library (DCPL) battles on. Mount Pleasant Public Library in Ward 1, set to close on Saturday for renovation and expansion, is the latest in the spotlight of the library wars. For the past two years, DCPL and the community have been discussing the renovation of the historic Italian Renaissance-style building, says George Williams, public information officer for DCPL. Plans include expanding the library to the property line and building a new accessibility ramp that winds around the side of the building toward a rear entrance. During construction, residents will have access to an interim library at 3164 Mount Pleasant St. NW, which opens April 26. The new library is expected to open fall 2011. What could be wrong with a facelift?

Stop!: Neighborhood residents argue the problem isn’t the renovation but the lack of community input into DCPL’s plans. The last community meeting was June 2009. Many residents expressed concern over the height and placement of the accessibility ramp, and the fire hazard the expansion may pose to neighboring apartments. DCPL has failed to address these issues, says local Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) commissioner, Chris Otten. He says the expansion—“which nobody has asked for, by the way"—would "block emergency access points” because it places the renovated library 15 feet from the closest buildings. DCPL responds to questions with “no, that’s not possible or we’ll look into it,” leaving resident questions unanswered, Otten says.

For the Love of Books: “We believe that the community wants and deserves a new and renovated library,” Williams says. Mount Pleasant Public Library is the only one in Ward 1. The community needs this expansion, he says. The proposed accessibility ramp will be 120 feet long, with a 7-foot incline versus the current 3-foot incline; it was approved by the D.C. Office of Disability Rights, he adds. He says the community has had a chance to engage in discussion over the library's design. “Glad renovations are finally moving forward, though the amount of neighborhood bickering over it has been ridiculous,” writes DCist commenter CrookedRiverwoman.

What’s Next: Community residents are planning a rally/flash-mob outside and a "SaveDaLibrary Danceathon" inside the library on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Talks of a sit-in are in the works, Otten says.

Rendering courtesy of DCPL

The Issue: The latest brush-up in the library turf wars is in Ward 8. In September, City Desk reported that some residents were unhappy with the new Washington Highlands Library’s futuristic pod design. The plan is still to raze the old library on 115 Atlantic St. SW and replace it with the new design in 2011. But some are making a last ditch effort to save the old library. They argue that the D.C. Public Library (DCPL) went ahead and closed it before the neighborhood had a chance to have its say. With Ward 8 having one of the lowest literacy rates in the District and only one full-service library—why are neighbors complaining about a spanking new building?

Save It! Some say that renovation is more eco-friendly and the money saved from renovating the building—about $2 million—could be used to expand services and hours. Last Saturday, about 40 Ward 8 residents rallied in front of the library to save the building, and four out of the five Ward 8 advisory commissions have passed unanimous resolutions for renovation. Ward 1C ANC Commissioner Chris Otten told City Desk: “The library moved quickly to close, even though [DCPL] doesn’t have the raze permit yet, or neighborhood support. The building is going to sit empty for months now.” In the meantime, he says, the neighborhood will lose valuable community meeting space because of the interim library’s small size. Ward 8E Commissioner Karlene Armstead feels DCPL closed the library without community consent: “Everything DCPL told us they were going to do has been lies, trickery, and deceit.”

Raze It! (And We’ll Give You a New One!): The $9.5 million library, designed by renowned British architect David Adjaye, will include a “garden, study rooms, new computers and an outdoor amphitheater." DCPL spokesman George Williams says the neighborhood was notified about the building closure through outreach at that library, media notices, and DCPL’s Web site. As far as the raze permit goes, he says it is up to the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) to notify the ANC. He added that there is will be community meeting space opened up at Hadley Hospital and the new library will have a meeting room that accommodates 100.

Next Step: The new interim library will open around the corner at 4035 South Capitol St. SW on Dec. 21; the raze permit is currently sitting with DCRA.

Note: This post initially included a different version of the design rendering; the one above is the most current. Drawing plan courtesy of DCPL.

]]> http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2009/12/04/neighborhood-watch-ward-8-gets-new-library-wants-to-give-it-back/feed/ 8 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2009/12/03/neighborhood-watch-community-questions-mount-pleasant-library-renovations/ http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2009/12/03/neighborhood-watch-community-questions-mount-pleasant-library-renovations/#comments Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:48:22 +0000 Dana Liebelson http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/?p=38558

The Issue: Is the new Mt. Pleasant Library plan not taking the neighborhood into account? Renovation of the library on 16th Street NW, near Lamont Street, is part of the citywide library expansion project; construction is slated to begin in 2010. Among other changes, the plan includes renovating the accessibility ramp for disabled and elderly users and expanding the building to the library property line. But some oppose the new ramp, and the District Dynamos, a library oversight group, says the expansion cuts off emergency access to apartment buildings in the back. Advisory neighborhood commissioners believe these issues are part of a larger problem: the District of Columbia Public Library (DCPL) failing to involve the local communities in the project.

Renovate the Renovations: At least 10 organizations, including the Equal Rights Center and ADAPT, have expressed opposition to the new ramp on the grounds that it’s three times as long as the old one and forces disabled and elderly patrons to enter through the back of the building. Ward 1C ANC Commissioner Chris Otten proposes keeping the old ramp and chopping off part of the expansion to keep the fire lane open. He tells City Desk: “They’re simple suggestions, money-saving suggestions.” Ward 8C ANC Commissioner Theresa Jones adds: “DCPL is persevering without the community. They’re on the fast track to do whatever they want.”

We're Listening!: DCPL says that the ramp complies with guidelines set by the Americans with Disabilities Act and that it is addressing the other concerns. DCPL spokesman George Williams told City Desk: “The experience of those entering on the ramp will not be different than the others. We are moving things in such a way that everyone can access services at the same point.” The jury is still out on the emergency access issue.

Next Step: Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham is organizing a meeting with DCPL, the architect, and seniors and residents with disabilities in the next couple of weeks.

Photo courtesy of DCPL

New Columbia Heights spots a possible illegal bar on Georgia Avenue. Jim Graham is so on this.

Congress Heights on the Rise lists reasons you should attend Wednesday's D.C.Library trustees meeting. The blog even lists a number you can call for carpooling to the big session. One reason: "Clearly the community is not happy with the proposed WashingtonHighlands library designs. How will the Board direct DCPL leadership towork with the local ANC's to help them get to a solution the whole Ward can appreciate?"

Borderstan offers May/June crime stats for the "new Borderstan."

Penn Quarter Living notes that a bagel chain on 9th Street debuted outdoor seating. I didn't know there were still bagel places left in D.C.

The New Teacher on the Block isn't quite buying the latest upbeat reports between Rhee and the teacher's untion.

Housing Complex has a great story on a local, modern co-op.

DCPL says it will make up for the loss by... asking people to go elsewhere or wait for new libraries:

A new 5,000 sq. ft. Sursum Corda library will be incorporated into Northwest One which also includes a recreation center and school.  The new Deanwood Recreation Center will include a 10,000 sq. ft. library about one mile from the Deanwood Kiosk.  In addition, discussions are underway that would merge the Langston and R.L. Christian kiosks in the planned Rosedale Recreation Center a half mile away from both libraries.

Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper says the Plexiglas and metal kiosks, which were built in the '70s and '80s in underserved neighborhoods, were only supposed to last five to seven years. Now the people have Metro to take them to better, bigger libraries. Plus, there's a recession. Says Cooper:

During these times of fiscal uncertainty with people scaling back on buying books and enrichment classes for their children, we especially want to be sure that the library offers the free quality services that the community needs and wants. Frankly, we are not able to do that in the kiosks.

More reasons to follow. Especially if Council tries to keep kiosks open.