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Library Renovations: Updated: April 4, 2024 – The Building Contractor is set to begin operations over the next few Saturdays

Library Renovations

 

Update: April 4, 2024

The Building Contractor has expressed their desire to work the next few Saturdays to make up time incurred due to weather delays.

  • The work should not affect the normal operations of the Community Center.
  • There is the potential for construction-related traffic and noise, but these will be limited and isolated events.

 

Update: March 14, 2024

Library Renovation Update: Construction will now move to the front of the Community Center and the Pedestrian Bridge.

What are the impacts:

  • Fencing will go up as early as March 14, 2024, for the next few weeks.
  • The fencing will start at the corner of Philadelphia Avenue and continue around Maple Avenue all the way to the start of Grant Avenue (but it won’t impact Grant Avenue at all).
  • Directional signage will direct the street crossings at Philadelphia and Maple Avenue, and the street crossing will be at Grant Avenue.
  • There will be no street access from the Pedestrian Bridge to Maple Avenue.
  • Short-term parking will not be available in front of the Community Center.
  • Accessible door access and parking spots are located on Grant Avenue, lower level Police Lobby, and at the back parking lot of the Community Center.

 

Update: February 23, 2024

Recently, due to Library Renovation construction, the Martin Luther King Jr. Stone was relocated from the Community Center to Heffner Park:

  • The Heffner Park Community Center results from decades of advocacy led by black community leaders like Lee Jordan to demand recreational outlets for Black children prior to the county’s public accommodation law (1963) prohibiting discrimination in public facilities.
  • Read more about Heffner Park’s historical significance.

Update: January 23, 2024

  • We continue to work around the winter weather
  • Foundation and utility work is still ongoing
  • The trees have been transported off-site for processing and storage
  • We found a boulder, named it Chip, and then defeated it

 


Update: December 21, 2023

Work will continue throughout this period as much as the weather allows, and we’ll be back with another update once some of the work in the 12/5 update is completed.

 


Update: December 5, 2023
The next significant step for the job site is preparing the foundation. There will be digging to tie the new structure to the existing structure. By mid-January, we should have a new foundation and slab to build a library upon.

  • All construction is weather permitting and subject to unscheduled changes with the contractor.

 

What is the plan for the trees? (already posted)

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.gov

 

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 factors were 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

 


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

 

 

 

Direct Cash Assistance Applications Close on Tuesday, Oct 31 AT 8:00pm

The last day to apply for funding from the City of Takoma Park Direct Cash Assistance Program is Tuesday, October 31, by  8:00  pm.

The Direct Cash Assistance Program will provide a one-time, lump-sum payment per eligible household in the amount of $1,000.  This is NOT a new program but a last chance to get those families who have not applied.

 

 

There are also physical applications available to be completed in person at:

Takoma Park Community Center
7500 Maple Ave
Takoma Park, MD 20912

Learn more about the Direct Cash Assistance program.

Wind Advisory Issued for Montgomery County, 9/23 From 8:00 am to 8:00 pm

The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for Montgomery County on September 23 from 8:00 am until 8:00 pm. Expect wind gusts greater than 40 mph.

In the event of loss of power, please notify PEPCO.

It is also recommended that you secure any loose items outside that could be blown away with strong winds, clear any areas around the home that allow for water runoff, and be prepared for fallen trees and power outages.

For any storm-related emergencies, including any injury, tree into a structure, or downed power lines that could still be electrified, call 911.

To report trees down in the roadway blocking traffic, call the Takoma Park Police Department at the non-emergency number, 301-270-1100.

For power outages and to check estimated restoration times, call Pepco at 1-877-737-2662 or visit their power outage webpage at https://www.pepco.com/Outages/CheckOutageStatus

To report downed branches and other debris in the public right of way – roadways or sidewalks – contact Takoma Park Public Works at publicworks@takomaparkmd.gov or 301-891-7633.

For issues with cable lines or internet, call your service provider.

MOCO EMERGENCY HEAT ALERT: Wednesday, September 6, 2023

Montgomery County has issued a Heat Emergency Alert beginning 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm on Wednesday, September 6, 2023. 

Montgomery County has activated a Hyperthermia Alert for extreme heat for Wednesday, September 6, 2023 from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Expect the heat index to be above 95 degrees. Stay hydrated. Take precautions to protect yourself & pets from heat-related illnesses: https://ow.ly/XVka50PHyPM

Don’t forget your pets!  If you see an animal outside who appears to be in danger, call the Animal Services Division at 301-279-8000.

To beat the heat, please note the following days and times Takoma Park facilities are open to the public:

Takoma Park Community Center, 7500 Maple Avenue, 2nd Floor
8:30 AM – 9:30 PM Monday – Thursday
8:30 AM – 10:00 PM Friday
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM Sunday

Recreation Center, 7315 New Hampshire Avenue
9:00 AM – 9:00 PM – Monday – Friday
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Saturday
Closed on Sunday

Library, 7505 New Hampshire Avenue
10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Monday – Thursday
12:00 PM – 6:00 PM Friday – Sunday

For more information, tips, and facilities throughout Montgomery County, please visit:  https://montgomerycountymd.gov/OPI/alerts/Heat.html.

 

 

Holiday Closure: Labor Day

 

City Offices and Facilities will be closed on Sunday, September 3, and Monday, September 4, in observance of Labor Day.

Holiday collection schedule changes are available on the Holiday Collection Schedule page.

As is always the case, the Takoma Park Police Department is available for emergency services 24/7.

Extreme Heat Alert, Monday, August 21 from 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm

A Hyperthermia Alert has been issued for Montgomery County for today, Monday, August 21 from 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Please take precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones against heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion.  To beat the heat, please note the following days and times Takoma Park facilities are open to the public:

Takoma Park Community Center, 7500 Maple Avenue, 2nd Floor
8:30 AM – 9:30 PM Monday – Thursday
8:30 AM – 10:00 PM Friday
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM Sunday

Recreation Center, 7315 New Hampshire Avenue
9:00 AM – 9:00 PM – Monday – Friday
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Saturday
Closed on Sunday

Library, 7505 New Hampshire Avenue
10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Monday – Thursday
12:00 PM – 6:00 PM Friday – Sunday

For more information, tips and facilities throughout Montgomery County, please visit:  https://montgomerycountymd.gov/OPI/alerts/Heat.html

SEVERE WEATHER ALERT: NWS TORNADO WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 9PM MONDAY AUGUST 7 – PLEASE STAY ALERT TO CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS

 

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Montgomery County until 9:00 PM.

Be alert for rapidly changing weather conditions and be prepared to take shelter if a warning is issued.  Tornadoes can form from severe thunderstorms with little or no advanced warning. Know your safe room in your home, at school, and at work.  If driving and a tornado is spotted, leave your car immediately and move to shelter or a low lying area. Do not use highway overpasses as shelters. Remain alert for the issuance of warnings.

The safest place to be during a tornado is in a basement. Fit under a work bench or other piece of sturdy furniture. If no basement is available, seek shelter on the lowest floor in a hallway or closet. Use blankets or pillows to cover your body and always stay away from windows.  Evacuate mobile homes and vehicles immediately. Do not use highway overpasses as shelters. If no shelter is available, lie flat in the nearest ditch or other low spot and cover your head with your hands.   Do not wait to hear or see a tornado before you take action. Tornadoes that form at night and those that are rain wrapped may not be visible. Seek safe shelter!

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The DMV area is at a Level 4 out of 5 risk for severe storms late this afternoon into the evening. This is very rare. It is very important to pay attention to weather details today and have a way to receive storm warnings.  As more information is received it will be sent out.