Comments on: Re-Imagining The Watha T. Daniel Library

By: Matthew Gilmore

Matthew Gilmore — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 04:39:59 +0000

The DC Public library has been remarkable slow on the uptake. But the entirely new administration should be given a chance. Though horrible at PR, they are accomplishing some things.
This should be a mixed use site. I had the opportunity to visit University of MD’s main library the other day and it was a shock…it was full of people (students and others)…doing location-appropriate stuff–studying, writing. I thought “what a contrast” to the very underused MLKML. And the library is NOT just a place for books–it is a common space, an information space, a community space. Well-thought out mixed use could give us a decent mixed-use library and other public/private uses.

As for opposing this idea, Alex gives us a very good idea why he was not reappointed to the Library Board. The flexibility, open-mindedness, and creativity shown is clear.

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 21:21:49 +0000

Alex, thanks for your comment, I didn’t realize a mix-used library was already considered. How can folks get involved with the Friends of Watha T. Daniel Library if they would like to help?

By: Ray Milefsky

Ray Milefsky — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 20:54:50 +0000

Have a peek at Remaking Le Slum Historique. Alex weighed in rather heavily against any other use than a traditional library. The bunker building never had many users other than a few kids on the two rickety PCs checking e-mails and winos chilling. Thus the proposals advocated by Ms Cort and you are worthy of consideration.

By: Shaw Rez

Shaw Rez — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 13:29:17 +0000

And here’s my response:

Thanks for the response, Alex.

I don’t think of this proposal as a “demonstration project” at all. I certainly concede that the property presents some challenges regarding its size, but principles of smart growth are essential to our neigborhood’s renewal and to D.C.’s goal of transit oriented development (I mean, this site is ACROSS THE STREET from the metro! It would be a crime not to maximize the use of this property!). If housing is not doable, at very least a retail spot should be workable. Furthermore, I think the “traditional” library concept is no longer the best format for our community in this digital age, so hopefully that consideration is on your group’s radar.

For the children and seniors, we are getting a three quarter of a million dollar modular library in front of Shaw Middle School, a block and a half away from the library site, in the near future (fences are up, presumably the facility will arrive soon) to meet our library need. Though I strongly dislike this temporary solution to the lack of library problem, it buys us time so that we don’t have to rush to build. DCPL is clearly an ineffective agency, but can we not demand more and better?

By: Shaw Rez

Shaw Rez — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 13:12:01 +0000

This is a response posted on my blog by Alex Padro relating to your post:

We can barely fit a library on this site. Because of the configuration of the lot, no on site parking can be accommodated, and there isn’t enough space for two elevators, which would be needed in order to provide a residential entrance. We struggled for months trying to get DCPL to let us have a basement again: the proposal was for a 16,000 square foot building on two levels. We, community residents, Friends of the Watha T. Daniel Library, library advocates, etc., were glad the contracts were cancelled for the previous proposed replacement library because we were going to get a library 2/3 the size of the one we already had. And we had to spend months killing the move to reconsider mixed use development on this site. It’s too small. Look elsewhere for your demonstration project. The demolition contract for the current building has been let. Community meetings to discuss the new building’s program will begin shortly. DCPL is too much of a dinosaur agency for us to ever hope to get more than the replacement library building that’s proposed. And after having my constituents deprived of library services for three years, and it will probably be six years before they get full services again, I will oppose any plans to further delay our new library’s construction to allow for further consideration of a mixed use developmet on the site. Anyone who disagrees can expalin to the hundreds of children and seniors who want a library again ASAP why they should have to wait a single extra day to explore mixed use development again.

Alexander M. Padro
Commissioner, ANC 2C01
President, Friends of Watha T. Daniel Library

By: Alexander M. Padro

Alexander M. Padro — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 01:49:28 +0000

By: IMGoph

IMGoph — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 01:51:51 +0000

Rob, this is such a common sense proposal, it’s hard to figure out why it hasn’t happened yet. But, as a resident of the area, and an attendee of local meetings, I’m sure you’ve heard that an enormous amount of people are more than just skeptical of development like this…they’re vehemently opposed to it.

It’s unfortunate, because dense development of a location like this, incorporating all of the things that Ms. Cort proposes would be brilliant. If people could just be made to see how a public property like this could provide benefits to the public on so many levels (housing, safety, retail, and educational), like I said, it just screams common sense.

People are just so scared of change. I really fear that some of the reasons that we don’t see more creative applications of development is because people in DC really are conservative…they are afraid of change, afraid to try…

By: Si Kailian

Si Kailian — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 17:57:10 +0000

I LOVE it! I’m all for mixed use & mixed income…Its terrible that shaw has been with out a library for so long. whats the sq footage of the lot?

By: Maia

Maia — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 14:36:41 +0000

There are a number of places around DC where this would be great. Tenleytown is another where there is a Metro station, a library, and a plethora of opportunity.