From: Holtzman, Steve (SMD 6B05) <6B05@...>
Sent: Friday, February 7, 2020 1:21 PM
To: Holtzman, Steve (SMD 6B05) <6B05@...>
Subject: Consultation process for $23 million SE Library Renovation is beginning: Three opportunities to share your views and ideas (starting tomorrow)
?
Neighbors,
?As many of you know, the Southeast Public Library is about to begin a $23 million renovation.? Our library is one of the busiest in the DC library system.? ?But,
it's also one of the smallest. The current facility has constraints both in space and design which constrain its ability? to meet current and future demands for a diverse range of services.
The library building itself is a special part of our neighborhood landscape. This makes the renovation particularly challenging because historical preservation guidelines? will, in all likelihood, limit the ability of the library to expand the existing building's
above-ground footprint. There is hope that expansion by digging downward inside the current footprint will provide additional space. But, invariably,
there are going to be trade-offs? in the design plan so it's important that people share their priorities.
To learn more about? process and follow it as it evolves, here is a link
to the web page for the Southeast Library Renovation project:
The design-build team recently selected to undertake the renovation is beginning a process of consultation with the community to understand? what library services
we value most highly and illicit our thoughts, expectations and ideas on ways in which we think the library can best serve our neighborhood.??
? ? The kick off of this consultation is beginning now. Here are three ways in which you can begin engaging with the team to make your voices and priorities heard:
? ? 1.DROP BY?TO MEET THE ARCHITECTS TOMORROW at EASTERN MARKET? ??Tomorrow, Saturday February 8th, the Architects for the project will be in the North Hall of Eastern
Market from 10am until 3pm to meet members of the community informally answer questions and hear initial thoughts, concerns, visions, etc. from all of us. Please stop in if you can and touch base with them.
? ? 2. PARTICIPATE IN AN ON-LINE SURVEY ON THE LIBRARY RENOVATION:? ?The team has posted an on-line survey to illicit community input on the renovation. Please fill it out. I don't
know when the survey will close but am assured that it will be available for at least the next 4 weeks. But, don't wait. Fill it out soon. Here is the direct link to access the survey.
? 3. COME TO A COMMUNITY MEETING NEXT TUESDAY?
where the library team will make a presentation on the project and discuss the strategy for moving forward.? ???Tuesday, March 3 at 7 p.m.?North
Hall at Eastern Market
? Also,?FYI, the Friends of the Southeast Library will sponsor its usual monthly book sale this saturday in the basement of the library. Hours are from 10 am to 3
pm. Books of all varieties, cds and dvds are available at modest prices. All proceeds go to library services.
best
Steve
Steve Holtzman, 6b05
ps. You may have noticed, that there is some serious investment going on in the public spaces at the center of our neighborhood.
$23 million SE Library Renovation. $14 million Eastern Market Metro Plaza/Playground/Park. Strategic Plan for future of Eastern Market. Lots happening at the same time. Lots of potential for good things. Lots of things everyone needs to pay attention to, provide
input on and try to ensure it all goes in directions which best meet our community's needs.
