ANC-1C Enlists Graham for Quick Response
Washington, DC -- Mount Pleasant Library, November 23, 2009
ANC-1C has asked Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper to address the growing concerns of Ward One seniors and residents with disabilities regarding access for the Mount Pleasant Library project. The ANC was prompted by a lengthening list of letters registering concern from groups such as ADAPT and the Equal Rights Center.
Bryan Weaver, Chair ANC-1C, in a letter of November 12, stated that the ANC expected DCPL to host public meetings -- with the help of the ANC—to address the issues.
One issue is the location of an accessibility ramp, currently planned for what is now the rear of the building. Advocates say the ramp will be difficult to see, is too far from the entrance, and is too long and high. Moreover, removing the indignity of entering through a secondary entrance is a tenet of accessibility best practices. DCPL plans to remove one secondary entrance below the front staircase and replace it with another secondary entrance much farther away. Advocates seek an alternative solution.
The second issue is access to buildings behind the library by emergency responders, which will be reduced by DCPL’s planned addition to the historic library building. Neighbors living around the library recall the destructive fire at the Deauville and Meridian Baptist Church last March. They are fearful of further reducing emergency access and lament that the library renovation is not being used by the city as an opportunity to improve access instead of diminishing it.
Commissioner Chris Otten (1C-02), a community organizer with the District Dynamos, has asked Councilmember Jim Graham to help expedite a response to the ANC letter since the clock is ticking on the project timeline. Graham has been meeting with the Dynamos to help find solutions.
Community letters here >>
http://tinyurl.com/mtpl-lib-ramp-letters
ANC-1C letter here >>
http://www.tinyurl.com/mtpl-lib-anc1c-oct09-letter
District Library Dynamos
http://www.districtdynamos.org
202-387-8030
dclibrarydynamo@rushpost.com