The last time DCPL hosted a meeting to update and inform the community about the renovation and expansion of the Mount Pleasant Library was all the way back in June 2009.
Since then, the Commission on Fine Arts have made suggested changes to the design, so has the Historic Preservation Office and Historic Preservation Review Board. And then, there was a meeting on December 11, 2009 hosted by Jim Graham where DCPL also made pledges to change the design to allow for better access to residents with disabilities and seniors.
No one in the public has seen how these changes are reflected in the designs... in fact there is much confusion, even among DCPL staff, about what the plans will be. For example, if you look on the DCPL website right now, you will see a difference in the plans being shown to construction contractors than those images being shown to the public.
February 25, 2010 Performance Oversight Hearing
Focus on the Mount Pleasant Library Ramp
The following matrix highlights DCPL's testimony sorted by time, in minutes
and seconds, and shows who speaks, what's the issue with the statements, and
various notes regarding the statements. This matrix will only make sense when
looking at the video found above.
| min | sec | who | issue category | notes |
| 0 | 35 | Ginnie Cooper | need_info; confusion | DCPL explains that the “1st level" remains with
a door as people in the neighborhood have asked? Need info: Who has asked
for this and why? What first level? Is that the terrace level or the main
level according to their designs drawing? Need Info: If Chief Cooper is
talking about keeping the Terrace level door open, then, doesn't this undermine
DCPL's argument that they need everyone to come in and leave from the same
level for security measures; very confusing |
| 0 | 50 | Ginnie Cooper | need_info; confusion | DCPL claims that the current accessibility ramp at the front of the library being used right now is not ADA compliant; how did they conclude this; is there anything in writing; Need information: Why is this just being mentioned now for the first time? |
| 1 | 20 | Ginnie Cooper | need_confirmation; misinformation | Cooper admits their proposed ramp does “travel a considerable distance up.” She says most people will choose to enter using the ramp; Need info: Why does she conclude this, don't the grand stairs cry out enter here. |
| 1 | 50 | CM Thomas | need_info; confusion | CM Thomas confirms with DCPL that there will be two entrances to the library; On 12/11/2009, CM Graham gets pledges by DCPL there will be one entrance to ameliorate concerns about the proposed ramp security and safety aspects; Confusion here |
| 2 | 10 | Ginnie Cooper | bad_info; confusion | DCPL claims the library needs the proposed new ramp to get ADA compliance for permits; presumes old ramp is not compliant; Need info: did DCPL look at ways to make the old ramp compliant; Some initial outside assessments show the old ramp to be in compliance, who's right? |
| 2 | 17 | Ginnie Cooper | need_info | DCPL says they have provided all of the ADA compliance issues in writing to CM Thomas; Need info: is this true? |
| 2 | 25 | Ginnie Cooper | bad_info; confusion | Jeff confirms Ginnie when she says DCPL deliberated up to Scheme "H"; Problem: this is brand news as the scheme shown last to the community in June 2009 was Scheme "F"; where did “G” and “H” go? Scheme “G” was offered through deliberations with CM Graham, but was ruled off the table by DCPL unceremoniously and without compelling reason back in June 2009. No one has seen scheme “H”... a phantom scheme. |
| 2 | 50 | Jeff Bonvechio | need_info; confusion | DCPL wants everyone to come into the library to the 1st point
of contact and that is the same location for both entrances; Problem: if
you are coming in from the ADA ramp entrance, you don't see the point of
contact until you are 50 feet into the building whereas if you enter from
the main door and staircase, one would immediately see the "point of
contact"; is this equal treatment? |
| 3 | 20 | Ginnie Cooper | misinformation | DCPL claims they are excelling at "Equal treatment" by allowing folks to the same 1st point of contact or "service" point; Problem: The proposed ramp segregates residents with disabilities to come in an unequal entrance, long and very tall ramp, that enters at the rear of the old building |
| 3 | 45 | Ginnie Cooper | misinformation | DCPL's philosophy goes above and beyond letter of requirements; Problem: if this was the case why didn't DCPL contact any Ward One senior groups or disability groups to ask what they thought about this proposal before getting to this point |
| 4 | 10 | Jeff Bonvechio | misinformation | DCPL makes it seem like they met with HMP and HPO collaboratively;
Problem: HMP wasn't brought into any planning until it was way too late
and even now are opposed to the designs; HPO has had limited, if any, feedback
from DCPL regarding the HPO staff and HPRB suggested changes made at the
end of October 2009. |
| 4 | 25 | Jeff Bonvechio | need_info; confusion | DCPL claims that it was irrefutable that the grand staircase
could not be touched; Question: what agencies were claiming this... is it
in writing? |
| 4 | 55 | Jeff Bonvechio | misinformation; confusion | Jeff claims DCPL deliberated what the best approaches were
to entering the library, DCPL says that got feedback on all the design schemes
with the public about what worked and what didn't; Problem: This has never
happened other than with Scheme F; no seniors or residents with disabilities
were asked if the proposed ramp could work for them |
| 6 | 20 | Ginnie Cooper | misinformation | DCPL claims people can get the latest info on their website;
Problem: the MtPl Library project page design images hasn't been updated
since June 2009. |
| 6 | 50 | Ginnie Cooper | misinformation | DCPL claims that there is an information corner at the library telling people of the project; Problem: There hasn't been an information corner at the Mount Pleasant library, despite DCPL staff being informed of such, for the past couple of months. |
The confusion doesn't just stand with what plans will be built for Mount Pleasant, it is also shown that there is serious concern about how DCPL hires it's contractors.
DC Public Library and how it operates also came up at other hearing, including Kwame Brown's Economic Development hearing on March 8, 2010. CM Brown refers to the hiring practices as "a disaster."