Residents may have noticed that the historic Mount Pleasant Neighborhood Library, located at 1600 Lamont Street NW, has recently undergone substantial exterior renovations--windows, lighting, masonry restoration and signage have all been revamped.  And there’s more to come. The city council has also fully funded a large-scale renovation of the interior of the library. To incorporate community input, a series of four Community Hopes and Dreams Meetings about the renovation will be held over the next few months with the first taking place on March 11.

According to current plans, the library is scheduled to close to the public in early 2009 for approximately 21 months. A new, renovated building is slated to reopen in late 2010. 

An architect has already been selected with the help of a Community Advisory Committee, says Chris Wright, Project Manager with the DC Public Libraries 21st Century Capital Projects who will be administering the $7.5 million dollar renovation project. The architect has not yet been publicly identified, but will be in attendance at the March 11 meeting says Wright. DC Public Libraries Chief librarian Ginny Cooper will chair the meeting.

“We will take the info that we gather at the meeting and [use it to determine] goals and priorities as we go through the design,” says Wright.

Some design components are already certain. Included will be all new building, HVAC and electrical systems, and there is possibility that the design may also include some reprogramming of the interior space.

For some community members, preserving the aesthetic of their library is equally as  important as structural improvements and new technology.

“I believe the community wants to really have a modern library within the context of a historic space,” says Richard Huffine, Executive Director of Friends of Mount Pleasant Library, a community group dedicated to enhancing library services, equipment, and programs. “It really is a beautiful space, it just needs a lot of taking care of.”

Opened in 1925, the Mount Pleasant Library is the third oldest public library building still in use in Washington and is one of four Carnegie Libraries in the District, funded by  philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.  Edward L. Tilton, the architect, was part of the architectural duo responsible for the award winning design of the US Immigration Station on Ellis Island. Today, the library still maintains many original distinguishing features including an arcaded entrance, a grand rear staircase leading to a children’s room, and an enclosed sun room. Another well-loved feature of the library are the murals in the children’s room painted by artist Aurelius Battaglia in 1934. The murals depict circus animals playing in a band and the artist, Battaglia, went on to join Disney Studios where his work included the film, Dumbo.

Huffine notes that the library is an important community space that serves between 20 and 25 neighborhood schools, hosts community events such as children’s story programs, the Mount Pleasant Youth Arts Fair, English language conversation groups, and also offers a large meeting room space for a variety of community groups.

Given the city’s track record of delays in completing library renovations, some residents may be concerned that they will be without a neighborhood library for an extended period of time.

But Wright assures residents that will not be the case. “There will be an interim library to provide library services to the community the whole time the library is closed,” says Wright. “However we do not have that interim site selected,” he adds.

Community Hopes & Dreams Meeting for the Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Library will take place Tuesday, March 11, 6-8 pm at the Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Library. For more information, email ArchieWilliams@dc.gov.

Columbia Heights Parking Wars
Residents and DC USA Shoppers May Have to Battle it Out
by Natasha Abbas

Better late than never, would be the optimist’s interpretation of the February 19 meeting to address last minute changes to Columbia Heights’ parking policy in light of DC USA’s impact. But a day late, a dollar short may be a more realistic assessment given that DC USA, the largest retail complex in the District, opens March 8.

Nonetheless, the cafeteria at Harriet Tubman Elementary was packed during the community meeting hosted by Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1A and Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham to discuss the parking issues for residents and small businesses.

Included as part of the 540,000 square foot DC USA complex is a government subsidized 1,000-space garage, but chances are many shoppers will search for on-street parking to avoid paying at the garage. To thwart such shoppers, Graham is proposing introducing legislation that would tighten residential parking restrictions.  Associate Director of DDOT’s Transportation and Policy Planning Administration, Karina Ricks was on hand to present the parking policy plan and respond to questions.

Proposed solutions include Enhanced Residential Parking Permits (RPP), aimed at increasing the supply of resident parking while reducing the supply of free visitor parking.

 “It’s now time to register your car in the District of Columbia,” advised Graham at the meeting to anyone who may be living and parking in the District without District tags.

Under the plan, residential streets within close proximity to DC USA (1/4 mile radius) would have one side of the street become “Zone 1 RPP Only” between the hours of 9 AM and 10 PM Monday through Saturday. Additionally, meters will on many existing parking spots will be set to exceed the rate of the parking garage. Zone 1 RPP sticker holders would be exempt from paying.

For businesses along 14th Street, some blocks will be metered “performance parking” zones for quick stops in to businesses along 14th Street. DDOT is also considering morning and evening rush hour restrictions on the west side of 14th Street and may propose lengthening some bus stops, adding taxi stands, and creating a few more loading zones with the result that more portions of 14th Street may become “No Parking Zones.”

Community members had an opportunity to express concerns after the DDOT presentation and a long-line formed at the microphone.

Business owners expressed frustration at how loading zone and bus traffic along 14th Street is currently operating. Aaron Layne, owner of Carvel on 14th and Park stated that entry to his business is often blocked by bus traffic, and worried that lengthened bus stops would exacerbate that.

Other business owners expressed concern that efforts to create parking solutions for DC USA traffic would erode parking for existing businesses. “I’m not hearing how these plans will help us as existing small business owners to survive,” said one business owner.

Many of DDOT’s proposed solutions seemed focused on cars and some residents advised that attention must be paid to other transit options as well.

“There are many workers who come here by bike,” pointed out Meridith Begin.  “I’m here on behalf of cyclists,” she said, calling for safe and efficient bike parking for durations of 8-9 hours.

Officials from churches in Columbia Heights inquired about on street parking for church-goers. “I’d hate to see the Church members have to pay every time they come to church,” said one pastor.

“Churches pose a very specific challenge to all of this,” responded Councilmember Graham, committing to finding a solution.

Some residents said that police presence in the area has also contributed to parking problems. They expressed frustration with police cars parking negligently on residential streets and blocking access to parking spaces.

In response to questions about visitors, Councilmember Graham called on DDOT to consider a pilot visitor guest pass program that would create a method for households to provide a parking pass for guests.