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Foust proposes library renovation plan
On Tuesday, July 29, Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville) took new designs for the renovation of McLean's Dolley Madison Library before the public, seeking approval for the latest plan to update the 30-year-old library.
This time, the third redesign of the library plans, crowd reaction was more positive.
"This is going to solve an enormous amount of problems" said Frank Crandall, Chair of the McLean Citizen's Association's Environmental Committee.
The latest redesign of the library includes a large glass wall that looks into McLean Central Park, expanded computer facilities, and an open flowing design.
"The idea is to bring the outside in," explained county planner Katayoon Shaya.
The redesign adds a little over 8,000 additional square feet to the current building, but will keep the library's collection a t around 80,000 items.
One thing the new library renovation doesn't include is a relocated supervisor's office, a critical change that appeared to make all the difference as far as citizen reaction is concerned.
"The supervisor's office will not be going in, we're not going to be clear-cutting parkland, and there's going to be major improvements in storm-water management," Foust said.
Some of those improvements include water-collecting vegetative filter boxes, and possibly a green roof, made of living vegetation.
"I don't know what a green roof is , unless that's the color you paint it," said one bemused citizen.
In the previous plan, county parking requirements for the relocated supervisor's office necessitated an additional parking lot at the library, which would have required the cutting of many trees. In the new design, the lot is gone and most of the trees stay.
"Additionally, the new design calls for extensive tree planting around the site, more than is there now," said Shaya.
The space where the supervisor's office would have gone will not be built out in the new design, which will keep the project within budget despite the fact that this is the library's third set of renovation plans. The renovations should be complete in spring 2011, now that the public seems to have given the project their blessing.
Still, some questions about the project remain. While the library is being renovated, it's not clear where Dolley Madison's temporary location will go. Planners have indicated that the little used upper parking lot of the McLean Community Center is a strong possibility, but they are also considering downtown McLean. According to Shaya, it will probably be a year before a site is needed.
The other question is where the Dranesville Supervisor's office will go. The Fairfax County Police, which share space with the Supervisor's office, need to expand their McLean District office, and it's not clear where that leaves the Supervisor.
"I'd like to stay here , if it's possible, said Supervisor Foust, though he added that the county was looking into alternative possibilities for relocation.
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