David Garber

Testimony to HPRB January 22, 2015

HPA 15-137 Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Library, 901 G St NW
My name is David Garber, and I am a resident of Logan Circle in Northwest DC. Im here
because Ive been following the exciting process of the MLK Librarys planned expansion and
renovation, and because I believe that we have a unique opportunity to preserve whats special
about the Mies building while also injecting new life into it. As an MLK library user, I am
looking forward to the day when it feels like real investments have been made to bring the library
into the 21st century, while retaining some of the mid-century roots that give it its unique
character.
That said, seeing the latest design updates based on historic preservation and other reviewing
agency comments left me feeling frustrated and disappointed. When the city decided to reinvest
in the Mies building rather than build a new flagship downtown library at City Center, the
message wasnt that we wanted to keep things as close to exactly how they are as possible. The
message was that we saw the value in an architecturally significant building, and that we wanted
to turn what is now a mostly drab and enclosed space into a showpiece that is both functional and
beautiful.
The design competition held last year to create that showpiece also encouraged the kind of
creativity that many in the city were and are still excited about. Architecturally distinct modern
additions, bold interior alterations in the name of openness and functionality, and very
refreshing in federal DC a general coloring outside of the lines. To watch a world-renowned
architecture firm win the competition based around a certain bold and publicly applauded vision,
and have that vision warped by a subjective and frankly overly cautious historic review process
should be viewed as moving backwards, rather than forward.
Im here today to urge the board to reject the two concept alternatives presented to you today, and
to reject the Historic Preservation Offices report and call for a reconsideration of Section 106
Option C, including the translucent glass cores, the removal of selected opaque walls,
construction of a two-story oval theater on the fourth floor, the curvilinear roof addition which
is more appropriate to distinguish it from the sharp lines of the existing structure or if reconsidered at a later date, the more architecturally-bold multi-story addition, and pedestrianunfriendly and uninviting exterior walls. I was particularly offended by the notion that the rooftop
not be activated, as it is visible from surrounding buildings. Adding vibrancy and green space to
our citys roofs is an incredible way to add vital public space and new experiences of and in the
city. It would be a massive missed opportunity to lose out on what can and should be a defining
feature of the new MLK library experience.
As a reviewing board tasked with preserving and highlighting our built heritage, I appreciate the
weightiness of adapting a unique building and bringing new design elements to a space that
hasnt seen much of any alteration since its original completion. I hope you will take this
opportunity to help shape a new central library that respects the original intent of the design while
bringing in new life, new reasons to visit, and bold design statements. Freezing the existing
building in amber and only calling for muted and what comes across as fear-based minimal
changes is the wrong direction. Lets show the rest of the country that its capital city isnt afraid
of progress and architecturally significant adaptive reuse. Preservation and contemporary
architectural expression are not mutually exclusive, especially for a public building meant to
highlight the best of built democracy and to draw new users to a now-stale space.