Exciting Tenley Library News!

The city is moving forward to consider all possible options for the future of Tenley Library. An RFP, a "request for proposals," will be issued by the Deputy Mayor's Office to allow competitive bidding for rebuilding the library and possibly providing other public amenities.

A public meeting on Thursday is your opportunity to tell the city what you'd like to see happen at that corner of the neighborhood.

What do you want in the new library? More community meeting space? A cafe on the first floor? Better library programming? A public plaza? More housing choices for young teachers and retail workers?

For more ideas, read our letter to Councilmember Cheh and see Arlington's recent RFP example below.

An RFP process gives us the opportunity to explore the possibilities for the future of the library and the important corner it sits on. How can we provide the greatest public benefit and gain new amenities for the community?

One local example we can learn from is Arlington's RFP for a mixed use community center. The Arlington Mill Community Center redevelopment project leveraged government-owned land to get greater public benefits. The project will include:

• A 30,000 square foot community center,
• a 10,000 square foot plaza,
• retail space,
• LEED silver certification (for energy efficiency), and,
• a mix of market rate and affordable housing units.

Read the RFP for Arlington Mill Community Center (pdf)

Other Ideas
Ideas for great libraries from the Project for Public Spaces
How to Make your Library Great
Libraries and Placemaking

How an RFP Process Works -- A General Outline

1. The city issues an RFP, or a "request for proposals."

2. Developers respond with specific proposals that fit the RFP criteria to rebuild the library and provide other public benefits in exchange for development rights.

Because the process is competitive, it is a good way to spur the development industry to be creative and leverage the value of the site for expanded community benefits.

3. The city considers the various proposals and determine if any of them are worth pursuing. There is usually an opportunity for residents to comment on proposals at this point in the process, though the specific plan for this RFP has not been announced.

Sincerely,
Rebecca Perring
www.Ward3Vision.org

Come this Thursday!

Be there on Thursday to let the city know what you want for the new library.

Public Meeting about the Library RFP
Thursday, August 23, 2007
6:00-8:00 PM
Janney Elementary School
4130 Albemarle St NW

5 Minute Action: Send an email

Tell our city leaders what you want for the Tenley Library. Your email will go to Mayor Fenty, the City Council,the Deputy Mayor's office, Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper, and public school officials.

If you live in ANC 3E or ANC 3F, your commissioners also need to hear from you. (Find out which ANC you live in )