New SW Library Design to Honor Mid-Century Modern Heritage

A community meeting was held last month to discuss the design of the new SW Branch library on Wesley Place. The sketch design of the new library by Perkins + Will gives a nod to mid-century modern architecture. Glass is used on the façade to give the library an open feeling and the roofline is angular, somewhat mimicking nearby United Methodist Church. On the north side of the library facing the playground, a “front porch” will be created with rocking chairs. The entrance to the library will shift from its current location on the west side to the northwest corner and will be double-height. 

As currently proposed, the new library will be about the same size as the current one (18,000 – 19,000 SF), but more of the space will be dedicated to public uses (81% in the new library vs. 66% in the current library). The first floor will contain the entrance and circulation desk, as well as children’s services, a multipurpose room, staff space and restrooms. On the second floor, space will be reserved for adult/teen services, meeting rooms, staff space and more restrooms. Unlike the current library, the new library will not have a basement level primarily due to flooding concerns and construction costs. There will be space inside the library set aside to highlight Southwest heritage as well as the creation of a “wow” factor, perhaps by the staircase. Other design elements include sanctuary spaces, the creation of curiosity and stimulation, as well as making the library’s flow intuitive for visitors. 

A total of $18 million has been set aside to build the new library and create an interim space during construction. By next summer, the interim library will be open and construction on the new library will commence, which is expected to last about 18 months. That timing places completion of the new library in early 2020. 

Renderings courtesy of Perkins + Will

Construction Update - Playgrounds

 

Two playgrounds are currently under construction in the neighborhood – both are part of the Play DC playground improvement program. One is located at King-Greenleaf Recreation Center at 201 N Street and the other is at Randall Recreation Center, located at South Capitol and I streets. King-Greenleaf’s new play equipment has a nautical theme. In addition to new play equipment, there will be a splash park. Below are some construction photos: 

Splash park

New play equipment

Playground sign

Over at Randall Recreation Center, the playground was delayed for over a year before construction began in late 2014. At one point, the site was under consideration for a charter high school, but KIPP decided to build elsewhere in the city amid neighborhood opposition. A skate park and splash park that would have fronted I Street have been removed from plans for phase one of the playground due to lack of funding. The playground equipment at Randall also has a nautical theme, but focused on pirates. Below are a couple construction photos: 

New play equipment

New sidewalks

Both playgrounds should be complete later this spring.

Randall Park Renovations Finally Getting Underway

Construction fencing and equipment have appeared this week around Randall Park adjacent to Randall Recreation Center on I Street, which means the start of long-awaited improvements to the park should be imminent. Randall Park is one of the playgrounds slated for improvements as a part of the PlayDC initiative. The project has been delayed for over a year, first due to a proposal to build a charter high school on the site, then funding issues. Eventually, over $1 million was secured to fund the renovations.

Originally, the scope of improvements was to be more comprehensive, including: new playground equipment for all ages, renovation of the existing basketball/tennis courts, removal of asphalt and brick walls and installation of a new splash park and seating areas in the plaza area fronting I Street, a skate park, walking path, adult exercise equipment, drinking fountains, picnic & game tables, security lighting, fencing, landscaping and gates. There was an objection by the developers of the adjacent Randall School project to the placement of the skate park, which would have been located next to the eastern portion of their site. Subsequently, the Department of General Services determined that there was not enough funding to do all of the renovations in one phase, so the skate and splash parks, walking path, and adult exercise equipment will not be completed during this phase. The asphalt plaza fronting I Street will still be removed, but for now it will become a grassy area.

In addition to the park improvements, $250,000 has been set aside in the FY 2015 budget to renovate the historic recreation center building, due to the Community Benefits Agreement included in the DC United soccer stadium legislation passed by the DC Council last week. Programming will also be extended for Randall, which was set to lose funding at the end of FY 2015. Park improvements should be completed by next spring.

Rendering courtesy of DPR

Playground Ribbon-Cutting Tomorrow

The next meet and greet park clean-up at the new 3rd & I Street Park will be tomorrow, starting at 11am. Following the clean-up at noon, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at the playground, where volunteers and donors will be honored. The new playground at 3rd & I Street Park, adjacent to the Southwest branch library is more than four years in the making and the first phase was completed in August.  The Southwest Playground Project, a project of the CBCC, overcame financial and bureaucratic obstacles to get the playground built. The second phase will include storm water retention; more retaining walls; and repaving and scoring of the sidewalks.

Playground Construction Date Near at Randall

If you’re a kid in Southwest, play options in the neighborhood have improved recently and will soon get even better. After more than a year of delays, the Randall Recreation Center playground at South Capitol and I streets will become the latest District playground to be revamped under DPR’s Play DC initiative when construction begins later this month. In addition to the Randall playground, the King-Greenleaf Recreation Center playground will also be renovated this fall. Last month, the 3rd & I Street Park adjacent to the Southwest branch library was renovated and a playground was added. In the last two years, a playground was added at Syphax Gardens and the play equipment at Amidon-Bowen Elementary was replaced. 

 

The renovations at Randall will cost over $1 million to complete and will begin on September 15 with completion before the end of the year. Improvements include: new playground equipment for all ages, renovation of the existing basketball/tennis courts, removal of asphalt and brick walls and installation of a new splash park and seating areas in the plaza area fronting I Street, a skate park, walking path, adult exercise equipment, drinking fountains, picnic & game tables, security lighting, fencing, landscaping and gates. The park funding had been in limbo since 2013 when KIPP unsuccessfully lobbied to build a charter school on the site. Subsequently, the Office of Planning conducted the Southwest Neighborhood Plan, whose final recommendations should be released this fall. 

Rendering courtesy of DPR

3rd & I Street Park Reopens as a Playground

After more than four years of dealing with DC government bureaucracy and fundraising, the library park at 3rd and I streets, SW opened yesterday, which marks the completion of phase one of the Southwest Playground Project (SWPP). The SWPP is a project of the CBCC and was championed by Southwest resident Felicia Couts. In an email to supporters announcing the playground’s opening, Couts stated the following: 

“I’m so thrilled to report that the construction fencing is down and the 3rd & I Street Park is open for use! Children and neighbors of all ages have already stopped by to check out the new play equipment, sit on the new benches and enjoy the park!” 

Construction took a little more than seven weeks to complete; however, the playground was a long time coming. Back in 2010, a group of parents came up with the idea to build a centrally-located playground in the neighborhood since there was a dearth of play space for young children at the time in Southwest. With other members of the community joining the parents’ group, the SWPP was born. The group eventually settled on building the playground at the park located at 3rd and I streets, adjacent to the Southwest branch library. This location was chosen because of the synergy that could be created between the library and the playground. In addition, the park is located between public housing and middle class housing, and could serve as a bridge between the two areas where neighbors can interact. 

The SWPP first tried working with Kaboom!, a non-profit organization that builds playgrounds across the country. Due to technical issues with working with the Department of Parks and Recreation, the SWPP did not move forward with Kaboom! and instead tried to work with Make Kids Smile, Inc., a local non-profit. The playground equipment used by Make Kids Smile, Inc. was not compatible with the Gametime equipment preferred by SWPP, so the group ended up working directly with DPR and the Department of General Services to hire a contractor to install the play equipment. The selected play equipment is suited primarily for kids ages 2-5 and has a nature theme, including swings, a slide, spinning leafs, mushroom-shaped stepping stones, and climbing bars in the shape of a butterfly. 

The park prior to construction.

In 2011, the SWPP hosted a “Draw Your Playground” design competition with students at Amidon-Bowen Elementary, which is about one block away from the 3rd & I Street Park. The students were able to show through their drawings that they wanted features such as swings, slides, a bike rack, and a water fountain at the playground. First place went to Edugwu Agada, second place to Jostin Garcia and third to Vanquisha Smith. In addition, a series of charrettes were held in the community to gather further input on the design of the playground. The original intent was to have a Community Build Day, but the city decided to have a contractor build the playground instead for liability reasons. 

An initial budget of $50,000 for playground equipment ballooned to $720,000 once it was discovered that significant infrastructure improvements were needed at the 3rd and I Street Park, including grading, utilities, and drainage. Not to mention the need to hire an architect. The SWPP raised over $100,000 on its own through donations from individuals and local businesses, but the infrastructure improvements necessitated city assistance. After some lobbying, $350,000 was secured in the District’s budget to close the funding gap and allow phase one to be built. 

Phase one included pruning and removing dead or dying trees in the park, as well as grading the site; retaining walls along the center berm area; fencing along I Street, SW and portions of 3rd Street and Wesley Place; playground equipment and soft surfacing were installed in the center berm area; and utilities work. A second phase will cost $270,000 and is still unfunded. The second phase will include storm water retention; more retaining walls; and repaving and scoring of the sidewalks. Two other playgrounds in the neighborhood are supposed to be upgraded later this year as a part of the Play DC Playground Improvement Initiative, including ones at King-Greenleaf Recreation Center and Randall Community Center. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be announced soon for the 3rd & I Street Park.

SW Playground Project Finally Gets Underway

After more than four years of dealing with DC government agencies and fundraising, construction fencing arrived today at the library park at 3rd and I streets, which marks the start of phase one of construction of the SW Playground Project (SWPP).  The contractors have begun pruning and removing dead or dying trees in the park. Phase one is expected to take eight weeks to complete and includes the following: pruning and removal of trees; grading of the site; installation of retaining walls along the center berm area; fencing along I Street and portions of 3rd Street and Wesley Place; playground equipment with a nature theme and soft surfacing in the center berm area; and utilities work. The budget for phase one is $450,000 and came from a combination of city funding and SWPP's fundraising efforts.

A second phase will cost $270,000 and is still unfunded. The second phase will include storm water retention; more retaining walls; and repaving and scoring of the sidewalks.  Two other playgrounds in the neighborhood are supposed to be upgraded later this year as a part of the Play DC Playground Improvement Initiative, including ones at King-Greenleaf Recreation Center and Randall Community Center.

The SWPP is a project of the Near SE/SW Community Benefits Coordinating Council (CBCC).

King-Greenleaf Playground to be Upgraded; New Randall Programming to Begin

Last month, Mayor Gray announced that eight additional playgrounds have been added to the original list of 32 playgrounds that will be upgraded under DPR’s Play DC Playground Improvement Initiative. King-Greenleaf is one of the eight new playgrounds added to the upgrade list for improvements in 2014. Randall is one of the original playgrounds on the upgrade list, but that project has been delayed due to the uncertainty earlier this year revolving around KIPP DC’s unsolicited proposal to redevelop the Randall Recreation Center, pool, and ball fields to a new charter high school campus. At least 20 of the original 32 playground upgrades have been completed so far. Once I get an update from DPR about timing for King-Greenleaf and Randall, I’ll pass that along.

Concept plan for Randall Rec. center playground. Courtesy of DPR.

Separate from the Play DC initiative, planning for the Southwest Playground Project at 3rd and I streets is moving along. A builder RFP was issued by the Department of General Services (DGS) in October, although additional funding is still needed in order to complete the project since labor costs are higher than originally estimated. Build Day is tentatively scheduled for spring 2014, but the exact timing will not be known until a builder is selected by DGS.

Randall Recreation Center.

Meanwhile, Randall Recreation Center is gearing up for new programming that will begin the week of January 6th. Sasha Bruce Youthwork, Inc. has put together a programming guide for classes at the rec. center during the winter months.  Classes for people of all ages are available, including art, fitness and exercise, as well as youth-oriented activities. The Tot Lot program for toddlers ages 18 months to three years old is already underway. Programming has been very limited at Randall for several years and the effort to bring more activity to the rec. center has been a collaborative effort between the CBCC, SWNA, DPR, Sasha Bruce Youthwork, Inc., and others.

All classes are free, but registration is required. Register in person on Mondays between 4 and 7pm, or send an email to Clynthia Graham to request an electronic registration form. More information is available by calling 202-554-6973.

Southwest Library Playground Gets Closer to Reality

The Southwest Playground Project (SWPP) received support from ANC 6D at this month’s meeting for the Urban Forestry Administration to work on pruning and removing unhealthy/dead trees from the site of the new playground proposed for the park next door to the Southwest library at 3rd and I streets. The ANC also commented favorably on LAB Architects’ design of the playground, which has changed and will now take up less space on the site. Play equipment will be placed on the central berm with a rubber play surface installed beneath for safety purposes. GameTime play equipment will have a nature theme, which will include a butterfly net for climbing; a log crawl thru; stepping stones in the shape of mushrooms; and spinning leaf seats. There will also be a swing set with an ADA-compliant swing included in the design. Most of the equipment is suitable for children ages 2-12, except for the butterfly net, which is recommended for children aged 5-12.

Some of the proposed play equipment.

Ornamental fencing will be installed along I Street and at the corners where 3rd Street and Wesley Place both meet I Street to keep children from running onto the street. The fencing will be the same that DPR uses at its other playgrounds and will be 18" tall. Seat walls will be placed on the south side of the play area to further enclose the space and provide seating for parents and children alike. Benches will also be placed in the play area. Trench drains will allow water to naturally drain below and should reduce the risk of mosquitoes. A less impervious surface will be used at the base of the park adjacent to the library which should also help with drainage.

Site of SW Library park.

Once the final designs are complete, the project will undergo the bid and contract award process, followed by permitting. At this pace, the project should be complete before the end of the year, if not sooner. The SWPP is affiliated with the Near SE/SW Community Benefits Coordinating Council, a local non-profit.

Schematic courtesy of LAB

What Will Happen to Randall Recreation Center?

 

For several years, Randall Recreation Center at South Capitol and I streets has been underutilized. Next door to the recreation center are a community pool, tennis & basketball courts, ball fields, a playground, and a forlorn plaza area. While the ball fields, pool and sports courts are heavily used, the recreation center is currently devoid of programming. There have been efforts by local organizations, such as the Near SE/SW Community Benefits Coordinating Council (CBCC) and SWNA, to get financing and bring some programming to the recreation center. Funding has been secured by the Gray administration’s “Play DC” initiative to build a new playground and renovate the plaza area to make the entrance to the recreation facility more inviting and user-friendly, with construction to occur later this year. 

DPR's renovation plan for the Randall site, developed after community meetings in 2012.

Meanwhile, the Department of Parks and Recreation is supposed to release a Request for Proposals (RFP) to select a non-profit provider of services to Randall Recreation Center. Related to the upcoming RFP, KIPP DC proposes to build a new, LEED-certified charter high school designed by StudiosArchitecture on the site of the current recreation center along South Capitol Street that will accommodate 650 students. There would be space on the ground level for a facility run by Georgetown University Medicine. In addition, KIPP DC would refurbish the existing Randall pool and ball fields, move the basketball courts to the northwest corner of the site, and build a brand new community center and pool house adjacent to the pool. KIPP DC has an ambitious schedule and plans to deliver the new school by the summer of 2014.

A birds-eye view of the proposed KIPP DC campus and new recreation center.

However, KIPP’s plans are incompatible with those of the developers of the former Randall Junior High School site next door. Telesis/Rubell (the Rubell family also owns the Capitol Skyline Hotel across the street from the rec. center) bought the former school from the Corcoran and plans to bring a contemporary art museum and restaurants to the historic buildings as well as build 400,000 square feet of apartments and townhouses. Telesis’ Marilyn Melkonian has pledged to find financing to renovate the existing recreation center. In addition, the Randall Recreation Center could be designated as a historic landmark as one of the few remainders of buildings that existed prior to Urban Renewal, which could complicate KIPP DC’s plans.

An earlier concept for the Randall School site.

At the same time that this is all happening, the Office of Planning is preparing to embark on a Small Area Plan for Southwest at the behest of Ward 6 Council member Tommy Wells. There is a large amount of public land in SW, including the Randall Recreation Center site, and typically, a Small Area Plan provides residents, land owners, developers, city officials and District agencies with a framework and recommendations to guide future development in the study area. The Small Area Plan will take about eight months to complete, but by-right development can still move forward while the plan is underway. ANC 6D voted to support the creation of the Small Area Plan and stipulated that no decisions be made on the Randall Recreation Center site until the Small Area Plan is completed. SWNA supports the measure as well. The CBCC also supports the creation of the Small Area Plan, as long as is doesn’t preclude continuing negotiations with KIPP DC, Telesis/Rubell, or any other interested parties in the Randall Recreation Center site.

Randall Recreation Center.

Each of the plans for Randall has their pluses and minuses. KIPP DC would build a brand-new community center, but what about the increased traffic from 650 students and faculty coming to the site each school day? Is a brand new community center and refurbished fields worth bringing a new school into the community where only students from KIPP DC’s elementary and middle schools would be able to attend? Would Telesis/Rubell still move forward with their plans next door if the charter school is built? Telesis has pledged to find financing to help renovate the existing recreation center, but is it guaranteed that financing would be found? How long would it take to get sufficient financing under either scenario to fund programming? There are a lot of questions yet to be answered.

Rendering courtesy of Studios Architecture

New Turf at Amidon-Bowen

A new turf surface is being installed at Amidon-Bowen Elementary School which replaces the basketball courts that were previously in place.  Basketball courts will be built later this year at Lansburgh Park to replace the ones removed at Amidon-Bowen. The new turf football/soccer field is part of $500,000 worth of new outdoor play space that is coming to the school, which itself was renovated extensively over the summer. Besides the turf area, there will be two playgrounds and a couple of short running lanes. In addition to play areas, a greenhouse is planned for an area next to the playground reserved for younger children. Below are a few photos, both before and "after."

The new turf area will be used for football and soccer.

 

The basketball courts (from last summer).

 

The perimeter fence has been moved closer to I Street.

Randall Playground Planning Meeting Tomorrow

DPR will host a meeting tomorrow on plans to renovate the playground at Randall Recreation Center on South Capitol and I Streets.  Randall is one of 32 playgrounds that the city will be renovating during this fiscal year as a part of the “Play DC” project. During the meeting, members of the community will have a chance to provide input on details such as design and amenities at the Randall playground. The meeting will be held at Randall Recreation Center from 6pm – 7:30pm.

Improving Play Areas for SW Youth

Several new or renovated playgrounds will soon be available in the neighborhood. The playground at Randall Recreation Center is one of several playgrounds across the city that will be renovated during the 2013 fiscal year which began on October 1, according to the Washington Examiner.   The city will spend a total of $30 million to renovate 32 playgrounds in all 8 wards of the city.  Related to Randall, fill out this survey to gather input on programming ideas at Randall Recreation Center, which will be reopened in 2013 for programs.  Meanwhile, the city set aside an additional $250,000 to help create a playground at the SW Library park at 3rd & I Streets.  In addition, a new playground was built last month at Syphax Gardens (Half and P Streets) with the assistance of Make Kids Smile and over at Amidon-Bowen, construction is supposed to begin soon on two new playgrounds.

Southwest Playground Project on its Way to Become a Park Partner

The following post was written by Felicia Couts, Project Director of the Southwest Playground Project

The D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) has agreed to designate the Near SE/SW Community BenefitsCoordinating Council’s Southwest Playground Project as a Park Partner for the 3rd and I Street SW Park, located adjacent to the SW Library. 

The official name of the new Park Partner will be the “Friends of 3rd and I, SW Park”.  From there, a collaboration of meetings will occur between DPR and the Friends of the 3rd and I SW Park to map and begin the planned park improvements which will include repairing the cracked walkways, installing retaining walls, pruning and removing dead trees, and installing playground equipment for children ages 2-12.

The new Friends of 3rd and I, SW Park wishes to extend its sincere thanks to Tommy Wells, ANC6D, the Mandarin Hotel, Safeway Foundation, Mr. Lawrence Impett, Make Kids Smile, CSX Corporation, Bravery Corporation, Station 4, and our SW community of neighborhood supporters.  

The next meeting of the Southwest Playground Project will be on Saturday from 3-4:30pm at the SW Library. 

Park rendering courtesy of LAB

SW Playground Project Moves Forward

Much progress has been made in the design of the new playground planned for the park next to the Southwest Library at 3rd & I Street.  Above is a draft schematic plan rendering done by DC-based landscape architect LAB, which shows a fan-shaped play area in the upper part of the park for children ages 5-12 and a fenced off oval area adjacent to the side of the library for children ages 2-5. Both play areas will have rubber surfacing. The lower area of the park where all of the concrete walkways intersect will have a brick surface. In addition, brick seat walls will be incorporated along a part of the walkways. A ramp will be created in the upper play area to make that area ADA compliant (a second ramp may also be built on the east side of the park). A water fountain may also be added.

Portion of proposed play area for children ages 5-12.

 The Southwest Playground Project (SWPP), which is a project of the Near SE/SW Community Benefits Coordinating Council, was able to raise over $100,000 for the playground and secured an additional $250,000 in the District’s FY 2013 budget. There will be a community meeting held on Saturday, August 18 at 11am at Westminster Church (400 I Street) to gather feedback on the proposed design.  What do you think of the plan?

Schematic Plan Rendering courtesy of LAB

Existing Public Parks Finally Getting Some Love

(This post is an abbreviated version of the South by West article that will appear in June's Hill Rag.)

The Southwest Playground Project (SWPP) is projected to receive $250,000 in the District's FY2013 Budget to bridge the funding gap needed to build a playground adjacent to the Southwest Branch Library at 3rd and I Street SW. Budget funds are coming from Ward 6 Council Member Tommy Wells' Committee on Parks, Libraries, and Recreation. The SWPP, a project of the Near SE/SW Community Benefits Coordinating Council, already raised over $100,000 on its own to build the playground, but several infrastructure issues need to be addressed at the city-owned park, such as storm water drainage, broken concrete pathways, and the need for retaining walls. These infrastructure improvements added nearly $250,000 to the budget estimate made by DC-based Landscape Architecture Bureau, who has been hired to design the playground. With the additional funds from the District, design work can proceed and a land survey can be conducted. Since the fiscal year begins on October 1, 2012, the District funds cannot be used until after that date. The first vote on the budget was done earlier this month and final passage is expected on June 5.

There will be a park clean-up this Saturday from 10am - 12pm at the Library Park. SWPP will provide bags, gloves, and refreshments.  Bring shovels, rakes, and of course, your children.

Meanwhile, another $400,000 is reserved in the FY2013 Budget for improvements to Lansburg Park, the large underutilized park located to the east of Greenleaf Gardens along Delaware Avenue. District funds reserved for Lansburg will go towards restoring the overhead lights, as well as installing basketball court to replace the tennis courts that are currently in bad shape. The "Friends of Lansburg Park" group was formed recently to join DPR's Parks Partners program and to use SWNA's 501c3 status to do fundraising. The Friends group is working with the PAWS of Southwest, who is applying with DPR to build what would be the largest dog park in the city at Lansburg, as well as with a group who wants a community garden. An open house was held last month to solicit ideas for the future of Lansburg and a charrette is planned for sometime this summer.

In addition, at the Southwest Duck Pond's annual Volunteer Recognition Event and sign unveiling ceremony yesterday, Council Member Wells announced there will be funding set aside in the FY2013 Budget for improvements to that park. As mentioned previously, there was funding set aside in the FY2012 Budget for park improvements, but since then, the newly created Department of General Services has taken jurisdiction over capital improvements from DPR and nixed the funding appropriation.

A Few Quick Items: New Metrobus Route, CBCC Survey, SW Playground Project Receives $40K Donation, Dog Park Petition

- Starting on September 25, WMATA will introduce a new bus route that will connect Southwest and Downtown. The new route will be called the "74 - Convention Center/Southwest Waterfront" and will run seven days a week from 5am to 1am. During peak periods, headways will be 18 minutes and 24 minutes during other times.  This fall, Next Bus real-time destination screens will be installed at eight bus shelters along the route. The route is shown on the above map. The dotted line portion of the route shows the extension of the line to Buzzard Point during weekday peak periods. This new route was made to replace the SW Waterfront-Convention Center Circulator route that will be discontinued at the end of this month and also replaces the 70-71 routes.

- The Near SE-SW Community Benefits Coodinating Council (CBCC) is conducting a survey of ANC 6D residents to find out what services they would use in a community center. The survey is available online and participants are entered into a drawing to win a $25 Safeway gift card. Surveys must be completed by September 30. On a CBCC-related note, there will be a reception on October 4 at the Capitol Skyline Hotel to discuss The Wharf developers' community benefit commitment to hire CBE's. for more information, check their website.

- The Mandarin Oriental Hotel was able to raise over $40,000 for the SW Playground Project last Sunday at their inaugural FANtastic March 10K walk/run. $10,000 of the funds was a corporate match from the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and the rest came from race participants, nearly 220 people.  Congratulations to race winners Miles Hilder and Sara Vuong, both Southwest residents.

- The SW Dog Park group is passing around an online petition to support bringing an off leash dog park to Southwest, the only quadrant in the city without a dog park. The group has been taking their dogs to Lansburg Park, but the gate at the tennis court is broken so it makes it difficult to enclose the area for dogs to run and play. 

SW Playground Project Receives Safeway Foundation Grant

Safeway announced earlier this week that the Safeway Foundation distributed $130,000 in grants to community organizations. One of those organizations is the SW Playground Project, which received a $5,000 grant to build a new playground next to the Southwest Neighborhood Library on August 23. Pictured above is Rev. Ruth Hamilton (President of the Near SE/SW Community Benefits Coordinating Council), Greg TenEyck (Safeway's Public Affairs Director), Felicia Couts (Project Director of the SW Playground Project), and the child Felicia is holding is Carmen Couts.

Here is a preliminary rendering of one of the three play areas planned at the proposed playground. Courtesy of Playworld Systems.

Photo courtesy of Safeway

SW Library to Close Temporarily for Mini Makeover

The following release was sent by the DC Library regarding the upcoming renovation of the SW Branch Library:

The Southwest Neighborhood Library, located at 900 Wesley Place, will be closing from September 12 – October 2 to receive a mini-makeover.

During the closure, the Teen Space will be improved, new carpet will be installed and the library will be painted. In addition, there will be some new furniture.

Library users can renew books checked out from the Southwest Neighborhood Library at any other DC Public Library location or online at http://www.dclibrary.org/. Books can be returned to any DC Public Library location. The closest location for Library services is the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library, located at 901 G Street, NW. Holds will also be available for pickup at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library.

In Mayor Gray's 2012 budget, the Southwest Neighborhood Library is set to receive $8.8 million in renovations in phases over the next six years to become a LEED-Silver rated facility. Meanwhile, next door at Town Center East Park, the SW Playground Project is making great progress towards raising $150,000 to build a playground in the grassy areas of the park. The latest large donation has come from the upcoming FANtastic March 10K on September 18, which has raised over $22,000 so far, plus a corporate match of $10,000 from the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.  

Preliminary concept rendering of one of the three play equipment areas, courtesy of Playworld Systems.

A Few Quick Items: FANtastic March 10K, Maine Avenue Construction, SW Comm-Unity Day

- The Mandarin Oriental Hotel is sponsoring a 10K walk/run to benefit the Southwest Playground Project - the FANtastic March 10K will take place on Sunday, September 18th around monumental Washington. The entry fee is $50 and includes breakfast, a FANtastic t-shirt, and a barbeque at the conclusion of the run at Hains Point. In addition, the Mandarin will make a corporate match up to $10,000 towards the Southwest Playground Project. To date, about $1,750 has been raised out of the $10,000 goal for the event. Click here to sign up for the 10K. Other recent corporate contributions toward the playground include a $5,000 grant from the Safeway Foundation and $1,250 from Station 4 during their soft opening on June 26.

- DDOT began road work today on eastbound Maine Avenue from the northbound 14th Street Bridge ramp to 12th Street. According to DDOT:

The project will replace the existing 4-foot-wide sidewalk with a new 14-foot-wide trail, accommodating both bicyclists and pedestrians, and replace the existing road surface. Installation of new storm water drainage elements, bio-retention areas, trees, lighting, signs, curb, gutter and fencing is also included in the project. To accommodate these amenities, on-street parking in this area will be eliminated. The number of vehicular lanes will be reduced from two to one and some driveway entrances to businesses will be realigned.

Construction will take place Monday – Friday from 7am to 7pm and sometimes on weekends from 8am to 5pm. During construction, the eastbound sidewalk and the Maine Avenue entrance to the Fish Market will be closed. Access to the market will still be open via Water Street. The work will be completed around mid-October.

- The 5th Annual SW Comm-Unity Day is set for Saturday, August 6 at the King-Greenleaf Recreation Center from 9am - 8pm. The day-long event will offer free activities for the entire family. SW Comm-Unity Day stems from the annual Unity Day event that used to occur each summer when former residents of Southwest that were displaced during urban renewal would come back to the neighborhood. For more information, check the SW Comm-Unity Forum’s website.