Update on Rosedale Library’s Future

DC Public Library Executive Director Richard Reyes-Gavilan at Tuesday night’s community meeting on the future of Rosedale Library.

Update on Rosedale Library’s Future

By Larry Janezich

Posted January 31, 2024

Tuesday night, DC Public Library Executive Director Richard Reyes-Gavilan gave the first public presentation on the plan for a new Rosedale Library.  The project is in its preliminary stages; the aspirational timeline was presented to the community at a meeting hosted by ANC7D06 Commissioner Marc Friend and the Rosedale Library Friends.

The ideal timeline anticipates funding becoming available in 2025 and 2026, the design phase occurring in 2028, construction in 2029 and 2030, and opening in 2031.  Currently, $24 million has been budgeted but Reyes-Gavilan warns that inflation and other costs will require another five to ten million dollars.  He expressed confidence that the Mayor and City Council’s will provide additional funding.  Council Chair Phil Mendelson was present at the meeting.    

Jaspreet Pahwa, DCPL Director of Capital Planning and Construction, told community members that a preliminary site survey was underway looking at nearby options – including the current library’s location – which could support the construction of a new library.  Some of the sites being considered would bring library services to additional communities including part of Ward 5.  Other options being considered include a mixed use vs. stand-alone buildings will be considered.  She said that this site selection process will unfold as follows:  Site analysis – development of a short list – community meetings to solicit input – release of a final recommendation – and seeking of acquisition funds.  Pahwa said that currently, the only funding available is for site analysis and additional funds will not be available until 2025 and most of it will come in 2026. 

The site of the new library could be contentious.  At Tuesday night’s meeting, several community members spoke in favor of using the current site for a new library.  Former ANC6A Commissioner Sondra Phillips spoke passionately on her own behalf as well as others in the Rosedale community,  recalling the efforts of Rosedale residents in acquiring a community library, suffering a delay because funds slated for a library were re-directed to rebuild Eastern Market after a devastating fire, and ended by stating flatly, “Rosedale Library should remain in Rosedale.”