Feasibility Study
Library Feasibility Study
PR EPAR ED F OR
District of Columbia Public Library Foundation
June 2006
PR EPAR ED BY
EDAW, Inc
IN ASSOC IAT ION W IT H
Gorove/Slade Associates, Inc.
J U N E 2006
T H IS PA GE L E F T IN TENTIONALLY BLANK
Contents
1.0 Introduction 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Scope of Study 1.3 Design Concept 2.0 Technical Analysis 2.1 Existing Land Uses and Characteristics 2.2 Historic Resources 2.3 Natural Environment 2.4 Underground Infrastructure 2.5 Accessibility 2.6 Anticipated Costs 3.0 Recommendations 3.1 Potential Challenges/Approaches 3.2 Mitigation Strategies 3.3 Agency Approach 3.4 Conclusions 1 1 3
5 13 19 21 23 31
33 35 37 39
MOUNT VERNON SQUARE
Figure 1: Mount Vernon Square Context
iv
/
I N T R OD U C T ION
D C PU B L IC L IB R A RY F O U N D ATI O N
1.0
Introduction
1.1 Introduction
The modern library is evolving in bold new ways to meet the current and future needs of the 21st Century. In the District of Columbia, the vision for a new public library system is one that will, “serve the people of Washington, be a safe and inviting place for learning and a welcome site for community gathering.” To shape this vision, the Mayor’s Task Force on the Future of the District of Columbia Public Library System, in its draft recommendations A Blueprint for Change, proposes to develop state-of-the-art facilities that would provide world class service to DC residents. Leading the upgrade of the library system would be a new Central Library envisioned to, “serve as a visible statement about the value of reading, education, and lifelong learning,” and provide, “a key civic space that residents use throughout their lifetime.” DC is not unique in seeking to update its library system. In recent years, several library systems across the country (including cities such as Los Angeles, Phoenix, New York and Seattle) have undertaken major renovation efforts, seeking to redefine the role of a library system in the
PR EPAR ED F OR
District of Columbia Public Library Foundation
June 2006
PR EPAR ED BY
EDAW, Inc
IN ASSOC IAT ION W IT H
Gorove/Slade Associates, Inc.
J U N E 2006
T H IS PA GE L E F T IN TENTIONALLY BLANK
Contents
1.0 Introduction 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Scope of Study 1.3 Design Concept 2.0 Technical Analysis 2.1 Existing Land Uses and Characteristics 2.2 Historic Resources 2.3 Natural Environment 2.4 Underground Infrastructure 2.5 Accessibility 2.6 Anticipated Costs 3.0 Recommendations 3.1 Potential Challenges/Approaches 3.2 Mitigation Strategies 3.3 Agency Approach 3.4 Conclusions 1 1 3
5 13 19 21 23 31
33 35 37 39
MOUNT VERNON SQUARE
Figure 1: Mount Vernon Square Context
iv
/
I N T R OD U C T ION
D C PU B L IC L IB R A RY F O U N D ATI O N
1.0
Introduction
1.1 Introduction
The modern library is evolving in bold new ways to meet the current and future needs of the 21st Century. In the District of Columbia, the vision for a new public library system is one that will, “serve the people of Washington, be a safe and inviting place for learning and a welcome site for community gathering.” To shape this vision, the Mayor’s Task Force on the Future of the District of Columbia Public Library System, in its draft recommendations A Blueprint for Change, proposes to develop state-of-the-art facilities that would provide world class service to DC residents. Leading the upgrade of the library system would be a new Central Library envisioned to, “serve as a visible statement about the value of reading, education, and lifelong learning,” and provide, “a key civic space that residents use throughout their lifetime.” DC is not unique in seeking to update its library system. In recent years, several library systems across the country (including cities such as Los Angeles, Phoenix, New York and Seattle) have undertaken major renovation efforts, seeking to redefine the role of a library system in the