Protesters confront Fenty over plans to redevelop Tenleytown library in new apartment building

Washington, D.C. (Map, News) - The District has chosen a developer to rebuild the Tenleytown library beneath a towering 130-unit apartment building, sparking a backlash from neighbors who dread increases in traffic, loss of green space and delays in library construction.

Mayor Adrian Fenty announced the partnership with Berwyn, Pa.-based LCOR Inc. during a news conference Thursday at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and Albemarle Street, encircled by protesters calling him a “sellout” and shouting, “We don’t want this.”

At that corner, across from the Tenleytown Metro station, is a 3.6-acre vacant parcel where the Tenley-Friendship library once stood.

LCOR’s proposal, chosen over two other bids, calls for the construction of a combined residential tower and 20,000-square-foot library, plus underground parking. D.C. wants to reinvest revenue from the tract’s sale in the modernization of adjacent Janney Elementary School.

The site is “very well-suited for a mixed-use project,” Fenty said, which will “be a benefit to the community.”

“We will make sure it will happen as quickly as humanly possible,” the mayor said.

The Tenleytown library was shuttered four years ago for renovation. Designs for a new branch are finished, but the agreement with LCOR is likely to delay the rebuilding process by a year or longer. The project also will require taking a portion of Janney’s schoolyard, though District planners promise no “net loss” of play space for students.

The project has garnered intense opposition from the adjacent Saint Ann’s Church, area civic associations and dozens of neighbors, many of whom packed the sidewalk and spilled into the street during Fenty’s news conference.

Albert Peter, longtime resident of nearby Warren Street, called the proposal a “slap in the face to the community.” Sue Hemberger described the project, and the potential delay of library construction, as a “cruel joke.”

“There’s one goal is sight,” Peter said, “and that’s profit.”

The project has the backing of Ward 3 Vision, a partnership of Ward 3 residents and the Coalition for Smarter Growth. Tom Hier, Ward 3 Vision chairman, said the location is an “important crossroads” that will contribute to the “vibrancy and urban character of Tenleytown.”

Ward 3 D.C. Councilwoman Mary Cheh said the endeavor has “great potential,” but only “if we can get all the benefits.”

mneibauer@dcexaminer.com

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