Community Design Meeting Summary and Compilation of Public Comments

Location: Benning Interim Library, 4101 Benning Rd. N.E., Washington, D.C. 20019

Meeting Purpose: Public meeting to provide the community with an opportunity to review and comment on the proposed schematic design and scaled model of the new Benning Neighborhood Library. The design team gave a brief overview; following this, DC Public Library (DCPL) staff were available to discuss the project and answer questions. The comments in this summary were made by the participants in a facilitated discussion.

Meeting Format: Presentation and interactive workshop format.

• The overview focused on project implementation and how the design has evolved since the first community meeting.
• A facilitated discussion allowed participants to provide comments and ask questions of DCPL staff and the project team.

Attendees: Forty-six community members added their names to the sign-in sheets. Ginnie Cooper, Archie Williams, Jeff Bonvechio, Kim Fuller, Barbara Norland, Martha Saccocio and the Benning Interim Library staff represented the DC Public Library. Peter Cook, Jeff Harrigan and Christiane DeJong represented the architecture and planning firm, Davis, Brody, Bond, Aedas. W. Steve Lee and Tosin Durotoye of the consulting firm CirclePoint also attended the meeting.

Summary of Comments From the Facilitated Discussion

Library Use Issues

• Benning Neighborhood Library Branch needs to be fully accessible to handicapped patrons.
• Participants stressed the importance of having enough computers for all patrons.
• A request was made for a room dedicated to African and African-American culture in the new library.

Library User Issues

• A few participants expressed concern that placing the adult restroom on the lower level would make it less accessible for some patrons.
• A member of the Friends of the Benning Library was happy to see a room dedicated to the Friends group.

Library Design Issues (Interior)

• Suggestions were made to reduce the size of the large mechanical room and in so doing, free up space for other library uses.
• A participant expressed concern that the windows shown in the proposed design were not big enough to allow for a safe exit in case of an emergency, such as a fire.
• A request was made to see the color palette for the proposed library’s interior and the architecture team explained that such details would be available later in the design process.
• A request was made to bring more natural light into the lower-level conference room.
• Space needs to be provided for local artists to display their work.
• Need flexible design that can grow with the community.

Library Design Issues (Exterior)

• It was noted that the current design includes exterior vertical slats that resemble a warehouse and not a library.
• Participants expressed concern about the lack of windows around the building.
• A suggestion was made to provide outside seating for patrons to eat or sit with their kids.
• A participant suggested that landscaping be made a priority.
• A suggestion was made to place bicycle racks outside the library.
• Will the exterior of the library be smooth, or will the design feature vertical slats that allow for light and more texture?
• The architecture team explained that the material for the exterior of the library would not be decided upon until later in the design process.

Process Considerations

• The ANC Commissioner would like to receive proposed design plans prior to the public meetings.
• A participant suggested that the project team consider what the community needs and not what the architects or DCPL wants.
• Sustainability.
• In response to some questions about sustainability, Chief Librarian, Ginnie Cooper explained the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, which was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council and is meant to provide standards for environmentally sustainable construction. Buildings can qualify for four levels of LEED certification, namely: Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum. DCPL is required by law to meet LEED certification, and the goal for the Benning Library is to be at least certified LEED-Silver.
• A participant stated that she liked the windows and light that floods into the proposed library.
• The possibility of collecting rain water for use within the library was discussed, but Ms. Cooper explained that storm water regulations surrounding the use of rain water would limit its use to watering the landscape.
• The proposed “Green Roof” of the new library will serve to reduce storm water run-off and reduce heating and cooling loads on the building.

Other

• Participants stressed the fact that the Benning Library is located in a cultural hub and the building as a whole should reflect this.
• The library also serves as a community center, not just a library, and such needs should be reflected in the design of the library.
• Job set-asides should be established for those living in the community.
• There will be a D.C. City Council round table on April 19, 2008 to discuss the Benning Library.
• There will be a town hall meeting on April 5, 2008 to discuss the Benning Library lawsuit. The meeting will be held at Ward Memorial Church from 12-2 p.m.
• On February 19, 2008, Councilmember Yvette Alexander presented four alternative library locations at the Central N.E. Civic Association meeting.
• Several meeting participants expressed interest in the project team conducting a study on what would be feasible as far as adding a third floor to the library in the future.
• It was suggested that schematic design documents be made easily accessible to the community so comments can be made.
• Will the new library fit within the surrounding development proposed by private developer, City Interests?
• What is the budget for the proposed library?

The library is scheduled to open in the early months of 2010. The next public meeting on the library design is TBD.