Library Renovations: Updated: November 16, 2023: Note that the construction (hammer) noise is expected to ramp up in the coming days!
Library Renovations
Update: November 17, 2023
The trees are expected to be removed in the week of November 20, 2023. We wanted to share and remind everyone of the plan.
Summary:
The Library and Community Center Redevelopment Project will result in new, sustainable facilities for all Takoma Park residents to enjoy. This ambitious LEED Gold project is situated on a site definitively bound by its surrounding structures and infrastructure.
- These spatial limitations have necessitated the difficult decision to remove trees from the site before the facilities can be expanded and renovated. These trees include a spruce and three willow oaks. One of the oaks was planted in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., further underscoring the imperative to approach this task with great care and respect.
- Guided by the City’s sustainability values, resourcefulness has been emphasized at every opportunity throughout this design and construction process. This same care and concern has been applied to every facet of the Library and Community Center Redevelopment Project, including—and most significantly— some trees that will need to be cleared from the building site.
- From the initial difficult decision to remove these trees to the question of how they can be repurposed, many experts have weighed in to bring us to where we are today. To that end, we have prepared some information about what factored into the plan.
What is the plan?
We are working with Treincarnation to appraise, process, and reuse the trees.
- To be clear and transparent, there is no way to predetermine if the trees are salvageable.
- Treincarnation cannot guarantee they will be able to use any of the wood from the removal.
- They are experts in salvaging material of this nature and skilled artisans who can create beautiful and enduring furniture.
- The hope is they will be able to salvage the wood to create furniture to enjoy for years to come in the new facilities.
For questions or concerns, please contact:
Ian Chamberlain
Public Works Deputy Director
E: IanC@takomaparkmd.go
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Update: November 16, 2023
Note that the construction (hammer) noise is expected to ramp up in the coming days.
- The contractor expects to remove the old parking access stairs late this week and early next week. It has a different connection to the rest of the Community Center structure so it may be less noticeable.
- Now that the library slab is separated from the Community Center slab, there should be less transmitted noise. As the remainder of those foundations are removed, it will likely be less perceptible.
The Library construction project is now building momentum on the site.
- The contractor intends to begin controlled demolition of the building in the week of October 16th.
- You can expect more truck traffic on or around Philadelphia Avenue accessing or leaving the site.
- It is likely the greatest impacts will be from noise and dust. The contractor will use accepted sound monitoring to maintain safe levels and dust abatement.
- The contractor has already completed the hazardous material abatement.
- Additional crews will be working on the site to continue separating the existing building from the portions to be demolished.
- You may see their equipment or work in the rear parking lot.
One notable change is the Trees trunk harvest work will be done after the building comes down. This was a special request to allow additional space to work for the tree crew.
- The next significant milestone will be the roof deconstruction in preparation for separating the existing framing from the building.
- We also anticipate that a Washington Gas contractor will be onsite in the back parking lot of the Community Center to relocate the community center utility service—the week of October 16th.
Please be patient -check our website for alerts and updates. Visit takomaparkmd.gov often, as we will continue to provide updates on the project.
Questions, Concerns, Comments - please email us at newlibrary@takomaparkmd.gov we are monitoring this email.
The good news is that City Services will not be interrupted during construction or demolition. If the back parking lot is closed for a few hours or all day, you can access the Community Center through:
- Maple Avenue entrance,
- Grant Avenue entrance,
- or the Police Department lobby
