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Mayor Bowser Breaks Ground on New Southwest Library

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser broke ground on the new Southwest Library. The $18 million project will feature 22,000 square feet of public space, providing a variety of seating options and spaces for reading, a community meeting room, three conference rooms, four study rooms, separate areas for children, teens, and adults, an outdoor reading porch, and an Innovation Lab with 3-D printers.

“DC families know how important neighborhood libraries are not only as free, educational resources for their children, but also as centers for building stronger, more connected communities,” said Mayor Bowser. “The commitment we are making with this new Southwest Library and libraries across all eight wards represent our belief that every resident should have access to opportunity. With these beautiful new facilities, along with world-class resources and programming, our libraries are delivering for residents every day.”

Perkins+Will and Turner Construction are the design/build team for the Southwest Library. The Library is seeking LEED Gold Certification for the new building. During construction, library services will be provided at an interim library, located at 425 M Street, SW.

Additional funding from District Government agencies will enhance the project. A $960,000 grant from the DC Department of the Environment and Energy will fund solar panels and battery storage into the building’s green vegetative roof, and the DC Department of Parks and Recreation will provide $500,000 to enhance an outdoor reading porch.

The Southwest Library is the latest project in the District’s ongoing work to improve libraries. In addition to groundbreaking today, construction of a new Lamond-Riggs Library will begin later this year, and design period will begin for a renovation the Southeast Library. This fall, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library will reopen after a three-year, $211 million modernization.