By Robert Oliver, President of the Lamond-Riggs Library Friends

The Lamond-Riggs Library has received a Christmas gift from the DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA). The long sought after raze permit has finally arrived, and now we can look forward to demolition of the old building. However, a ruling from the DC Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) may be required before new construction can begin.   

DC Public Library (DCPL) will appear before the BZA on January 13, 2021, to request relief for a special exception. The Lamond-Riggs Library is zoned as R-2, which mandates a 40% lot occupancy limit. DCPL will request a slight increase in lot occupancy to accommodate the new library, as well as relief from the minimum parking requirements. In support of this effort, DCPL and HGA, the architectural firm, have secured letters of support from ANC 4B and ANC 5A. The BZA meeting should be a straightforward affair.

The opening date of the new Lamond-Riggs Library ranges from late 2021 to early 2022. HGA had previously cited an opening of late 2021 during its presentation to ANC 4B on November 23, 2020. However, the presentation gave a construction start of Spring/Summer 2020. I believe an opening in early 2022 is more likely since construction has yet to start. In either case, the community will have a new Lamond-Riggs Library that it can be proud of!