Media Contact Only: John A. Stokes, (202) 673-2195
This morning, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, DC Councilmembers, DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Director Clark E. Ray and DC Public Library Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper joined city leaders and the Ward 7 community in a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the beginning of construction of the Deanwood Community Center and Library.
Located at 49th and Quarles Streets, NE, the new 63,000 square foot facility will include colocated functions of the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Library. The Deanwood Community Center and Library will include an indoor leisure swimming pool, locker rooms, gymnasium, game room, full library, childcare facilities, dedicated senior services area, kitchen, and multi-purpose facilities. The project is estimated to cost $33 million.
“Today marks an important step forward in this neighborhood receiving the world-class recreational, educational, and community facility that it deserves,” commented Mayor Fenty. “The exceptional collaboration between our Department of Parks and Recreation, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, and DC Public Library will produce a community center that Ward 7 residents and the entire District can be proud of.” The Administration also thanked Council Chairman Gray and Ward 7 Councilmember Alexander for their advocacy and support throughout the process.
According to DPR Director Clark E. Ray, “The colocation agreement between Parks and Recreation and the Library represents an innovative approach to design that urban areas across the country are employing in order to provide residents a variety of services in restricted public space.” Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper added, “Great cities have great libraries. As we continue the Library’s transformation, this location will provide the Deanwood community with a space where they can access technology, encourage literacy in children and adults, and gather as a community.”
The Deanwood Community Center and Library will be designed and constructed to meet the requirements for LEED Silver certification. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™, encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria. LEED is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.
The ODMPED/DPR has selected Forney Enterprises, Inc.-Manhattan Construction Company to serve as the general contractor for the Deanwood Community Center and Library. Forney is a Certified Business Enterprise by the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development, and they have constructed the Trinidad Recreation Center and the Ward 4 Senior Wellness Center for the District. MCC has performed services for DC Public Schools at the Bell Lincoln Multi-Cultural School and Randle Highlands Elementary School.
The Deanwood Community Center and Library is expected to be completed in the summer of 2010.
Select the link below to view additional information about this project in the “Planning and Capital Projects” section of DPR’s website:
For information about how to support or contribute to the DC Department of Parks and Recreation, please contact DPR's Office of Partnerships and Development at (202) 671-1462 or DPRpartnerships@dc.gov.