Press Release

National Trust President Richard Moe Urges D.C. City Council to Landmark the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on G Street


Washington, D.C. (November 20, 2006) – In a letter sent today, National Trust for Historic Preservation President Richard Moe urged the members of the Council of the District of Columbia to take steps to ensure the preservation of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library at 901 G Street, NW. Citing the building’s "indisputable" historic significance as Washington's only work by Modernist master Mies van der Rohe and the only Mies-designed library ever constructed, Moe's letter urges the Council to designate it a landmark under local preservation law and to convene a planning charrette to determine the best uses for the 1972 structure, which "must be protected for future generations."

The Council's Committee on Education, Libraries and Recreation, chaired by Councilmember Kathleen Patterson, meets on Tuesday, Nov. 21, to mark up and vote on the Library Transformation Act of 2006, which would authorize the leasing of the present library building and the construction of a new library on the old convention center site. Mayor Anthony Williams has called for passage of this legislation before his term ends in January 2007.

The full text of the letter follows:

November 20, 2006

The Honorable Kathleen Patterson
Council of the District of Columbia
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC  20004

Dear Councilmember Patterson:

I am writing with regard to the Council’s "Library Transformation Act of 2006," which would authorize the lease of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library at 901 G Street NW, and the establishment of a new library on the old convention center site.  As the only Mies van der Rohe work in Washington, DC – and the only library designed by Mies that was ever constructed – the historic significance of the 1972 Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library is indisputable.  The building is a precious jewel in our downtown and must be protected for future generations.

We appreciate that the city's current administration is sensitive to the building's architectural importance, but that is not enough to protect the library in the long-term.  We feel strongly that, before vacating, leasing or restoring the library, the city must designate it as a landmark under local preservation law, so that changes or alterations will come under the careful scrutiny of the Historic Preservation Review Board.  We have reviewed the pending landmark nomination prepared by the city’s historic preservation office, and urge the city to move it forward as soon as possible.

As an organization involved in the revitalization of communities nation-wide, we understand that historic buildings must often be adapted to meet contemporary needs.  Moreover, we believe that Mies’ flexible layout and plan for the MLK Library make it particularly adaptable.  Before the city decides to invest in a new library, however, we would strongly encourage the DC Library Board of Trustees to convene a planning charrette, so that the best minds in architecture, library facilities and community development can consider this situation and propose the best uses for the building.  Finally, we feel that it is important that Mies’ library remain in the city’s hands, even if it is leased and developed by private interests.

The National Trust stands ready to help find a new, bright future for this library, one of the last designs by a master of modern architecture.  Thank you for considering our views in this important matter.

With warm regards.
Sincerely,

Richard Moe