The design process for a new Southwest Neighborhood Library located on its current site is moving forward!
The DC Public Library (DCPL) posted the Request for Proposal (RFP) for teams to design and build the new structure on October 28, 2016. The RFP can be found at http://www.dclibrary.org/node/55059. An informational meeting for potential teams was held on Nov. 10 at the Southwest Library. Teams were provided an overview of the project and walked the site. Several teams submitted proposals prior to the December 12, 2016 deadline. DCPL Director of Capital Projects and Facilities Management Andrew Blumenfeld commented at a January DCPL Board of Trustees meeting that “several excellent teams submitted proposals for the new Southwest Library.” The DCPL RFP team reviewed and evaluated each submission and submitted the top three candidates to the Procurement Office for review by the Southwest Library Design Selection Panel.
The Southwest Library Design Selection Panel met in late March to view presentations provided by the top three teams. Two Southwest residents were appointed by Ward 6 Councilman Charles Allen to serve on the Selection Committee: Bruce Levine, president of the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly, and Georgine Wallace, president of the Friends of the SW Library.
How to Get Involved
The easiest way to get involved is by signing up for updates on the construction process at http://www.dclibrary.org/node/55254. The emails will be periodic, focused, and your email will not be used for any purpose other than to update you on our new library.
The Southwest Library project is now listed on the DCPL construction site, dclibrary.org/news/constructionupdates. Just scroll down to view the list of projects and you will find Southwest in the bottom left column. If you prefer to access the Southwest information directly, it is available at http://www.dclibrary.org/node/55166.
DCPL will be holding a series of public meetings, surveys, focus groups, and online feedback. If you would like to participate in a focus group, please contact Martha Saccocio at martha.saccocio@dc.gov.