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HOPES & DREAMS
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September 18, 2008 -- DCPL conducts their "Hopes and Dreams" meeting. About twenty people attend. This is the first community meeting regarding the Washington Highlands Library Project.
DCPL's Hopes and Dreams meetings attempt to gather a wish list of services for the new library. Most of the services requested are what you would expect from any modern library -- computers, books, children's programs, seniors programs, etc.
Some of the out-of-the-box dreams expressed by those in attendance will never be satisfied because DCPL has a "Building Program" that they derived with no community input. This building program does not allow for dreams mentioned by Ward Eight residents at this meeting, such as a cafe, a performance space, a music/sound studio room, a business center.
Interestingly enough, Chief Cooper does offer those in the room a sense of hope for these dreams by saying "they will be considered" but she already knows that DCPL would not include any of these dreams in their plans.
To be clear the "Hopes and Dreams" meeting is not a design charette. Design charettes are held for any major community project, such as a new library, to help the highly-paid architects get a sense of the visual building aesthetic the community may want to see in the initial designs.
There has never been a design charette held for any DCPL project, including the Washington Highlands Library project, and it is why many people find the initial designs shocking when they are unveiled for the first time.
Full report with videos - click here
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MEET THE ARCHITECT
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December 16, 2008 -- DCPL holds a reception to meet the architect, Mr. David Adjaye. Mr. Adjaye reviewed his portfolio and talked about his experience as a world-famous architect. There was no specific discussion about the design of the Washington Highlands Library, probably because there was hardly anyone there from the public.
From
an article covering this event... "[Chief Librarian] Cooper blamed 'scary
weather' predictions for the lack of turnout. Others noted that outreach was
late and limited: postcards to Friends of the Library groups and ANCs did not
arrive in time for promotion to their constituents, the DCPL website never mentioned
the event, relevant listserves received little information and the event was
announced too late for print calendars. Moreover, the building’s front doors
were locked with no sign directing community members arriving by foot to the
entrance to the event.
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FOCUS GROUPS
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Between December 2008 and February 2009 -- DCPL claims they held
several "focus groups" with youth and adults living around the Washington Highlands
Library. They were described as being almost like mini Hopes and Dreams meetings
with only a handful of participants at each one. There was no discussion about
architecture or design plans -- just general feedback about library services.
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THE CFA
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February 5, 2009 -- DCPL submits concept plans to the Commission of Fine Arts for their approval. The plans look almost complete, down to the bookshelves. No one from Washington Highlands or Ward Eight, including Ward Eight ANC Commissioners & Civics and the public in general had seen these plans at all. Not one CFA Commissioner lives in Ward Eight.
February 19, 2009 -- DCPL and the architect present nearly finished concept plans to the Commission of Fine Arts seeking their approval. The CFA, while expressing some concerns, approve of the plans, and issue this CFA report.
February 22, 2009 -- The District Library Dynamos purchases the concept plan submissions from the CFA and attempts to distribute these to the broader Ward Eight community. Here is how the Dynamos report was published.
In addition, the Dynamos asked DCPL to put these latest plans on their website. They decline.
Finally in early March, DCPL uploads just the floor plans to their website. The community still cannot see the the almost complete exterior renditions of their new library.
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SHOWING THE PUBLIC FOR THE FIRST TIME
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March 31, 2009 -- DCPL hosts the second community meeting regarding the Washington Highlands Library project. This is the first time anyone in Ward Eight sees the design plans, exterior and interior.
About twenty Ward Eight residents attend the meeting and are shown the concept plans approved by the CFA a month earlier.
DCPL claims that these plans are "preliminary" despite the fact that design images show details down to the square foot, bookshelves, and perhaps even the pencils.
Community comments elicited concerns about the lack of engagement with the
public on this project, especially with local ANC Commissioners. Residents were
critical of the design not matching the scheme of the Washington Highlands neighborhood.
Others were concerned that a meaningful renovation wasn't really considered.
Residents pointed out that there are many other parts of the Ward currently
under served by the library suggesting that a renovation could save money to
build-out other library service locations. There were also concerns about erosion
problems and how construction would affect surrounding houses.
Full report with videos -- click here
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LATE REPORTING
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May 12, 2009 -- DCPL finally creates and publishes a report about
the March 31, 2009 meeting. DCPL's
follow-up report goes on the DCPL website nearly six weeks after that meeting
when the public saw the design for the first time.
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SECOND TIME AT THE CFA
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May 21, 2009 -- Without closing the information loop with the
public on how their suggestions changed the designs, DCPL, and the architect,
make a second presentation before the Commission of Fine Arts.
The concept designs shown offer little change to the floor plans or building footprint or general exterior aesthetic. Here is the slideshow presented to the CFA.
Ward Eight for Practical and Sensible Design (WEPSD) delivered a letter before the meeting to inform the CFA of concerns with this design.
For the most part these concerns were dismissed by the CFA partly due to the fact that they had to rush the discussion because many of the Commissioners needed to leave as the library was scheduled towards the end of the agenda. The other reason is that they are an unelected Federal body that has little allegiance to the concerns of District residents – they just are interested in design aesthetic and appeal – and only exist because DC is not a State and thus represent another way the Federal government intervenes in local matters.
To their credit, CFA Commissioners did note that the concerns raised by the community most-likely stem from the fact that the public was not engaged early on in the process suggesting again that a design charette could have been used to more effectively prepare the architect to draw plans that the community envisioned.
Full
report with images -- click here
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ANC 8D WEIGHS IN
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May 26, 2009 -- ANC-8D Commissioners step up and weigh-in regarding
the Washington Highlands Library project after hearing that DCPL serendipitously
brought the "preliminary" library designs to the CFA for a second time just
a mere five days before their monthly ANC meeting.
At this point, DCPL has not shown the Commissioners the proposed design plans
in any meaningful way at any public ANC meeting, despite Commissioner requests
of DCPL to do so.
In the meanwhile, Commissioners began taking a closer look at the overall project
costs and scope, including studying DCPL's own renovation analysis conducted
in May 2008. They started seeing a pattern of obfuscation and deliberate lack
of sharing information on the part of Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper and DCPL
staff with Ward Eight ANC's and the broader public about this project.
Coupling the lack of regard for the ANC and broader public input with the fact
that DCPL's own renovation analysis demonstrates that adaptively reusing the
current library building is very feasible and would save millions of dollars,
ANC-8D took time at their monthly public meeting in May to unanimously pass
a resolution asking DCPL to halt their design process until engaging the ANC
on key questions.
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DOES PUBLIC INPUT MATTER?
===========
June 30, 2009 -- The third community design meeting is to be
held at the Washington Highlands Library. This is the second meeting dealing
with actual proposed architectural designs, giving an opportunity for Ward Eight
to make suggestions and raise concerns.
There was at least one Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner from each Ward Eight
ANC Commission in attendance. These Commissioners spoke out in dissent to the
proposed designs and the regrettable design process, one which did not even
have a design
charette.
ANC-8D Commissioners asked Chief Cooper why she didn't respond to their May
2008 resolution. Cooper stated she was not sure she received any resolution
from Ward Eight ANC's... whereby 8D Commissioners immediately handed her a copy
through Archie Williams, a DCPL staffer.
On that evening, many Ward Eight residents shared their thoughts, concerns,
and suggestions about the proposed plans. DCPL staff seemingly took lots of
notes based on the feedback.
The Library Renaissance Project sent out this
press release highlighting the nearly unanimous consensus among those in
attendance that DCPL should stop the process and more meaningfully engage and
discuss changes to the designs before moving forward.
Full
report with images -- click here
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MORE LATE REPORTING
===========
August 28, 2009 -- Nearly two months after the June 30th design
meeting, DCPL finally publishes the
June 30 community design meeting notes online.
How can this be considered a good communication loop with the public? Many
Ward Eight residents who attended the meeting got the sense that their feedback
doesn't matter because they never get to see how their feedback was interpreted
and incorporated in the "preliminary" designs.
DCPL has never demonstrated how the important concerns raised by Ward Eight
residents could change the design or even the design process.
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BZA WANTS MORE ENGAGEMENT WITH ANC'S
===========
September 1, 2009 -- DCPL forces several Ward Eight residents,
including four ANC Commissioners, to take five hours out of their workday to
attend a Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) hearing. DCPL is requesting two zoning
variances for their awkward design related to courts around the pods and a massive
reduction in on-site parking. If these variances are granted, it would essentially
give approval of the proposed
design plans.
The setting of this hearing seemed surreal -- a 76-year old ANC Commissioner
was asked to argue zoning issues with several high-powered, highly paid lawyers
from Arent Fox in what
was a pseudo-legal procedure. DCPL is spending lavishly for these lawyers since
they were hired sometime in the spring to help them force their library design
onto the community..
In the end, the BZA wasn't convinced of DCPL's arguments and understood the
need for more ANC input. There was this
piece in the Washington Examiner and the Library Renaissance Project put
out this press
release.
The BZA continued the case until October 6, 2009.
See the 9/1/09
BZA transcript here.
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ANC 8A WEIGHS IN
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September 1, 2009 -- ANC-8A Commissioners stand in solidarity
with ANC-8D and unanimously pass their Washington Highlands Library resolution.
These Commissioners particularly highlight DCPL's disregard of Ward Eight homeowners
living on the hill just behind the library who have not been given any assurances
that the demolition of the current library will not negatively impact their
property.
In addition, 8A Commissioners support the concept of adaptively reusing the
current library with the understanding it would save millions of dollars to
be used to expand Ward Eight library services.
See ANC-8A's
resolution here.
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ANC-8E WEIGHS IN
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September 15, 2009 -- ANC-8E Commissioners unanimously reaffirm
their June resolution regarding the library with a more detailed September library
resolution. This was to impress upon the BZA that Ward Eight Commissioners are
serious about this library project.
The resolution highlights the fact that ANC-8E Commissioners also approve of
renovating the standing library building with the hope that construction dollars
saved can be used to expand library services in Ward Eight -- the Ward with
the highest unemployment, lowest literacy rates, and the most youth.
Ward Eight Commissioners don't understand why Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper
and her staff did not conduct a Ward-wide library services needs analysis before
attempting to commit all of the money for demolishing and then rebuilding the
Washington Highlands Library, Ward Eight's only full-service library.
See ANC-8E's
resolution here.
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ANC-8D AFFIRMS THEIR POSITION;
MARION BARRY DOES TOO
===========
September 24, 2009 -- Working from the mandate of the BZA to
pass an official resolution regarding the library designs and the variances
which DCPL is requesting, ANC-8D holds a special ANC meeting to deal solely
with this important community issue.
ANC-8D Chairwoman, Theresa Howe Jones, invites Ward Eight Councilmember Marion
Barry to attend, which he does. Also in attendance are DCPL staff, including
Mrs. Deans, Mr. Williams, and Mrs. Mecks -- DCPL's main decision-maker, Chief
Librarian Ginnie Cooper, mysteriously was not there.
DCPL's highly-paid lawyers from Arent Fox and the architects presented to the
Commission, Councilmember Barry, and the public the variances they seek for
their proposed designs.
ANC Commissioners, the Councilmember, and the public asked many questions,
but were clearly frustrated by DCPL's responses -- in particular, clear concern
was expressed about why DCPL included these "pods" jutting off the
main central building. DCPL just could not give any good rationale for why these
were included in the design.
Marion Barry: "Ward Eight is library deprived!"
The video above shows an interesting back-and-forth between Barry and the architect
with regard to the controversial "pods." The Councilmember calmly broke
down the logic arguing that the pods are not necessary to the building design.
ANC Commissioners also put on the table the need for a meaningful analysis
of adaptively reusing the current building, of which the superstructure has
already been determined to be in very good condition according to DCPL's
own renovation study. Councilmember Barry supported this concept and added
that there should be an independent renovation study conducted with architects
involved.
ANC-8D wound up passing an unanimous resolution requesting DCPL to engage all
Ward Eight ANC's, Councilmember Barry, and the broader Ward Eight community
in a public forum to truly discuss the overall project, including a renovation.
ANC-8D Resolution asking BZA for a continuance until DCPL truly engages the
Ward Eight community with regard to the Washington Highlands Library project
This ANC-8D
resolution was sent to the BZA for consideration with regard to the zoning
variances requested.
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BZA CONTINUES THE CASE
===========
October 6, 2009 -- The Board of Zoning Adjustment reviews
the ANC resolution and finds some technical reasons to continue the hearing.
ANC's have had a strong showing in September with three ANC's passing resolutions
opposing the demolition of the current library with an eye to adaptively reuse
the building to be eco-friendly, less disruptive to the community, and save
millions of dollars to be used to expand services to other parts of the Ward.
See the 10/6/09
BZA transcript here.
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DCPL SUBMITS A RAZE PERMIT
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October 7, 2009 -- DCPL hires CDKM
consulting to assist DCPL staffer, Lisa Deans, in submitting a raze permit
application to DC's
Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affair (DCRA) so that Chief Librarian
Ginnie Cooper can tear down the Washington Highlands Library.
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ANC-8B WEIGHS IN
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October 20, 2009 -- Seeing how DCPL has ignored Ward Eight ANC
Commissioners and seeing the logic of adaptively reusing the current Washington
Highlands library, ANC-8B steps up and unanimously passes a resolution opposing
DCPL's proposed library design and process and supporting a renovation of the
current building so that any savings can be used to build other libraries in
the Ward.
See ANC-8B's
resolution here.
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REVISIONS TO THE DESIGN
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October 23, 2009 -- The Friday before the BZA rules on the Washington
Highlands Library project, DCPL staffer, Archie Williams, appears at the home
of Commissioner Theresa Jones and brings two sheets of paper depicting designs
with a new skin. Commissioner Jones is surprised with the revised designs --
revised in a way that eliminates the courts-width variance being requested by
DCPL of the BZA.
DCPL's revisions seem less a response to the community, more rather a way to
remove DCPL's burden of proving the need for a zoning variance. The design still
has the "pods" and still removes needed on-site parking and most importantly
the revision does not address Ward Eight's overwhelming desire to see the current
building reused and modernized.
Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper seems to be dug in her position to tear down
the library as evidenced by her staff seeking a raze permit long before any
design revision was created and even before the BZA made any decisions about
any of DCPL's requested zoning variances. Amazing.
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BZA APPROVES OF PARKING VARIANCE
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October 27, 2009 -- Board of Zoning Adjustment Commissioners
vote to dismiss the ANC's request for a continuance -- ANC 8D's resolution was
seeking more time so that DCPL can more meaningfully engage them and the broader
Ward Eight community about the library project. The BZA did not want any more
delay on this matter due in part to pressure from the DCPL-hired Arent Fox lawyers.
The BZA took note of the Washington Highlands Library project design revisions,
which were submitted shortly before the meeting. They acknowledged the revision
as eliminating the request for a courts-width variance and so they were just
ruling on a parking variance.
BZA Commissioners did note the revised designs were a vast improvement over
the originals, however, Commissioners also took time to scold DCPL on a poor
design process that left out community engagement lending to the poor original
designs.
Despite the fact that the new Washington Highlands Library is not metro-accessible
and that when modernized will invite more users to drive to the library, the
BZA ruled in favor of the variance allowing DCPL to only put seven (7) parking
spaces on-site in front of the library -- reduced down from the legislated twenty-one
(21) spots and reduced from the fifteen (15) spots that are now available at
the library. This also means there is only one (1) handicap parking spot for
library users.
ANC-8D intends to appeal this decision.
See the 10/27/09
BZA transcript here.
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OPPOSITION TO THE RAZE PERMIT
===========
November 6, 2009 -- ANC-8D hand delivers a letter asking for
the procedures to oppose the DCPL raze permit surreptitiously submitted in early
October. Strange enough, there is no clear direction on how the public can oppose
raze permits -- there's nothing on the DCRA website and not even at the DCRA
offices. ANC-8D, writing to the permitting director at DCRA, is expecting to
receive the procedures to oppose and follow those forthrightly.
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DCPL ANNOUNCES LIBRARY CLOSURE
===========
November 13, 2009 -- DCPL puts a sign up on the front door of
the Washington Highlands Library saying the library will close on November 30.
This gives the community about two weeks notice about closure of a key central
civic institution -- their library.
Many Ward Eight residents are confused as to why this is happening -- there
is not a construction plan which is approved by the community yet in place,
no construction can happen until winter thaws out in the spring time, neighbors
living next to the library have not received any assurances in writing that
their property will be protected during the demolition and construction, Ward
Eight children will have no library to visit during the month of December when
kids are home for the holidays, and no one can figure out why DCPL wants to
move to an interim location, that has no meeting space, so quickly.
Ward Eight ANC's surmise that DCPL is closing the library to dampen the campaign
for renovation and quicken the pace for demolition. ANC's and Ward Eight residents
are infuriated.
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DCPL MOVING AHEAD
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November 18, 2009 -- At the bimonthly Board of Library Trustees
meeting, Jeff Bonvechio, DCPL's Capital Construction Manager, says he plans
to demolish the Washington Highlands Library. He doesn't mention any of the
Ward Eight dissent or anything about the concerns raised by residents and ANC
Commissioners, especially in regard to adaptively reusing the current library
building.
Bonvechio: "Redesigned exterior skin... fit[s] into context with the neighborhood";
"Move out of old building [the current library] and get it ready for... demolition."
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THE CFA - AGAIN
===========
November 5, 2009 -- Without announcement, DCPL sends in their
revised design concept plans to the Commission on Fine Arts -- once again proving
that DCPL cares more about the CFA than about what Ward Eight thinks about the
design. DCPL has not presented the revised library designs in any formal way
at a public meeting to anybody in Ward Eight.
November 19, 2009-- After a long and detailed explanation
of the new African American Museum design being planned for the National Mall,
famous London architect David Adjaye briefly showed the CFA Commissioners a
revised set of proposed library designs for Washington Highlands. Since the
layout and general structure of the building is the same as the original drawing,
CFA Commissioners merely felt they had to just comment on the revised exterior
skin of the proposed building. The CFA approves the revised designs quickly
and moves their busy agenda along.
November 30, 2009 -- The CFA
issues a report about DCPL's proposed Washington Highlands Library design
plans. With their approval came critique of the proposed parking lot, which
also caused quite a commotion at the last public
design meeting in Ward Eight on June 30, 2009.
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COMMUNITY RALLY
===========
November 28, 2009 -- Ward Eight residents supported by a ANC
Commissioners from three different Ward Eight ANC Commissions participated in
a rally demanding DCPL to listen and not tear down the Washington Highlands
Library.
Community leaders and residents rallied and spoke up at the open microphone
in support of renovating the current building, including the Young Friends of
Washington Highlands, southeast artists, members of ANSWER, Ward Eight farmer's
market coordinators, and local homeowners and their kids. Rallying with them
were special guests like Rev. Anthony Motley, former Friends President, and
candidate for Mayor Leo Alexander.
Ward Eight activists were out in support helping to give away over two-hundred
(200) books to neighbors donated by the District Dynamos. Many rally goers also
left with donated bread and other tasty treats.
Given it was a chilly, blustery afternoon, it was a great surprise to see about
forty (40) concerned Ward Eight residents attend the rally. The message to DCPL:
Don't Tear Down Our Library; To the incumbents in office: You give us no voice,
you get no vote.
WHY
RECYCLE -- Renovation, modernization, add another floor
===========
COMMUNITY RALLY
MEDIA COVERAGE
===========
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SNOW DAY, OPENING DAY, MAYBE?
===========
December 21, 2009 -- Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper
intends to open Ward Eight's "interim" library on this morning. The snow
emergency from the weekend prompts the Federal government to close business.
The local DC government can't figure out whether to be open or not... until
the morning of Dec. 21 when the library announces they will be open.
There is a small turnout from the public despite the snow-emergency
confusion in the morning. Chief Librarian, Ginnie Cooper did not arrive as expected
and without any public statement.
Many residents also didn't come out for obvious reasons, but those
who considered being there did so with the hopes of letting Chief Librarian
Cooper know that Ward Eight doesn't appreciate the short notice regarding the
closure of the current Washington Highlands Library building. The closure happened
so quickly, with
only two weeks notice. and before any proposed library design plan was agreed
upon by the community.
Many Ward Eight residents and Advisory
Neighborhood Commissioners are calling for the old building to be recycled
-- adaptively reusing it with a modern renovation plan that adds another floor
on top of the strong substructure.
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SURPRISE LIBRARY
HEARING
===========
January 11, 2010 -- Councilmember Harry Thomas (Ward
5) hosts a last-minute, surprising, library "roundtable" to discuss
the concerns about the library projects including Washington Highlands. Seemingly,
the main objective of getting together was to seek more info from DCPL about
the controversial library projects... and to get this info on the public record.
Chief Cooper's testimony paints a rosy picture in Ward Eight,
as if there are no problems with the Washington Highlands Library project --
no mention of the public rally's and the amazing demonstration of dissent at
the last community meeting almost six months earlier.
ANC Commissioner Theresa Howe Jones, Chair of ANC-8D, made a last
minute schedule change to testify at the roundtable. She laid out the basic
premise of the position of four
Ward Eight ANC Commissions -- for DCPL to build more libraries in Ward Eight,
not to tear down and rebuild the only library in Ward Eight.
* This hearing also witnesses CM Marion Barry state that he is
in favor of the new library designs and wants a new library -- a complete flip-flop
from when he attended an ANC meeting in September and stated
his support for DCPL to meaningfully address the concept of renovating the library.
His reasons to support DCPL seem weak, stating that Ward Eight
needs a new library because the old library has old furniture, and a new library
will come with new furniture. He also says that since new development is being
planned for S. Capitol Street, the library should also be rebuilt new to match
the new development.
There are two major logical flaws in his statements. First, CM
Barry should know that renovation means modernization, so if the library is
renovated it will be furnished with brand new modern-day furniture. More importantly,
a renovation of the current building means upgrading and equipping the building
with the latest electrical, mechanical, and structural systems. This means the
public would get a brand new looking building that doesn't skimp on the latest
modern equipment.
Referring to his second argument, while it is true that City
Interests has big plans for Ward Eight, it is a plain fact that DCPL staff
and Fenty's developers are not planning anything together... so we don't know
if the new library design will fit with any of the new development. CM Barry
assumes that new development on South Capitol Street will match aesthetically
with the new library design -- but new doesn't mean congruous and synergistic
-- especially since their is no concurrent planning going. DCPL is designing
their new libraries in a vacuum of closed door decision making.
The severe contraction between CM Barry's statements from September
to what they are now seem to demonstrate that Ward Eight's Councilmember may
be compromised by some unseen promise, threat, or just plain questionable decision
making.
See
the January 11 Library hearing on the OCTT website here.
===========
SURPRISE LIBRARY
MEETING
===========
January 20, 2010 -- Before walking out of the hearing
room on January 11, Mr. Archie Williams, DCPL Intergovernmental
Liaison and CM Marion Barry confer on a date to meet with the community. They
ask Commissioner Theresa Jones to get people together for a public meeting on
January 20.
This doesn't leave a lot of time for good outreach to the community.
ANC-8D volunteers their time, along with help from the District Dynamos, to
expedite out snail mail-announcements to about five hundred residents living
in Ward Eight.
DCPL has sent out one email to one local listserve and considers
this adequate outreach, not acknowledging the serious digital divide in Ward
Eight..
Video of the January 20, 2010 meeting
At this meeting, DCPL agreed with Councilmember Barry that a negotiation meeting
needed to be set-up to discuss the library plans goign forward. This was stated
several times during the meeting.
This negotiation meeting has not been held to date, despite the many phone
callsby ANC's attempting to set something up.
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SUDDEN DEMOLITION
===========
April 28, 2010 -- DCPL issues notices around the library
stating the library demolition has "began." Huge machinery tore down
most of first floor. There is no "dust-sheild" there are no braces
holding up the retaining wall behind the library. Standing on the large hill
behind this wall are many Ward Eight homes. Residents around the library got
the notice on this morning -- the day DCPL began the demolition.
Homewoners were promised a pre-demolition assessment of their
homes so to make sure DCPL covers any repairs to any damage to these homes.
The trail of broken promises continues as this pre-assessment never happened.
Four
of five Ward Eight ANC's opposed the teardown of the library in hopes
that adaptively
re-using the building could save money to expand library services elsewhere
in the Ward. Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper and DCPL ignored these ANC's.
Video of the carnage in Ward Eight
April 29, 2010 -- The Dynamos, with the help of local ANC Commissioners,
hand out masks to local Ward Eight homeowners and offering the chance to document
their homes and foundations and walls with digital cameras. DCPL promised to
conduct a pre-demolition assessment of these homes but this promise was broken.
See report here
