DISTRICT DYNAMOS: Libraries & Beyond

Encompassing about 300 acres at the southern tip of Southeast, Washington Highlands' streets are a checkerboard of colorful low-rise apartment complexes and littered empty lots, modest red-brick houses with tidy flower beds and squat public housing, elegant townhouses and boarded vacant houses.

Unabridged history of the Washington Highland Library per the DCPL website.

The District of Columbia Office of Planning in partnership with the NIF Program’s implementing agency, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, worked with community stakeholders to develop an investment plan for the Washington Highlands target area.

The D.C. Public Libraries have hired one of London's busiest and most prominent young architects, Mr. David Adjaye, to rebuild Washington Highlands and Francis Gregory neighborhood libraries.

Ward Eight residents see design images for the first time.

On May 21, 2009, the CFA approved Washington Highlands Library concept plans.

Ward Eight for Practical & Sensible Design stands opposed to the proposed design for a new Washington Highlands Library for several key reasons.

Washington Highlands Library project timeline depicting a design process which has been almost completely pro-forma... with just the facade of community input.

Six big reasons why DCPL should renovate the current Washington Highlands Library building.

Please take a few moments to send your feedback about the proposed library designs.

A look at what design charettes are and how they could help DCPL with their library projects.

DC Public Library officials faced near unanimous opposition last night from Ward 8 community leaders and residents who objected to the design for a new library to replace the existing Washington Highlands branch.

It is as costly and time-consuming to demolish a building with asbestos and remove the debris to an approved landfill as it is to perform asbestos remediation and return the structure to use.

Members of the Ward Eight community had the ear of the Board of Zoning Adjustment for five hours yesterday concerning a controversial design for a replacement branch library at Washington Highlands.

Leaders of a far Southwest D.C. community have asked a city planning board to reject a proposed branch library design they say is bizarre and utterly out of touch with their neighborhood.

A very important meeting between DCPL and Ward Eight is held on June 3o, 2009 -- the community won't hear anything from DCPL for nearly two months.

The unemployment rate in Ward 8 far surpasses the rest of D.C., but a few groups are trying to change that.

Special ANC 8D meeting regarding Washington Highlands Library.

ANC 8D convened a special meeting on Sep. 24, inviting other Ward 8 ANCs, to discuss the design with architects, DCPL staff and Barry. Commissioners and community members from across the ward participated.

D.C. opened the doors Monday to the new Parklands-Turner Library in Southeast, a facility stocked with 25,000 books, DVDs and CDs. But it comes as the library system cuts hours at other libraries, provoking questions about priorities.

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 8D Chair Theresa Jones and neighboring commissioners argue, however, that the library has consistently pursued its own agenda rather than engaging with the community directly enough for Adjaye and team to “interpret their sensitivities.”

Save the Ward Eight's only full-service public library! Be there.

2010 Performance Oversight Hearing to keep some accountability of DC's public library system.

The trail of broken promises continues, now endangering those around the library, as the old Washington Highlands is being broken up.

A new $15 million library designed by renowned architect David Adjaye is set to open in the District in a few months — but its name is still unsettled.