MOCO Orgs Pen Letter Urging Redevelopment Of Chevy Chase Library

CHEVY CHASE, MD — Nearly two dozen MOCO-area organizations are calling on the county to redevelop the Chevy Chase Library to include mixed-income housing.

The county sent out a survey in October 2021 asking community members what they wanted to see when the library was upgraded. One option was a renovation of the library in the current location, and another was to redevelop it in a new location with housing. However, it was most recently included in County Executive Marc Elrich's Capital Improvement Program plan as a library scheduled for a "refresh," rather than a redevelopment.

The letter penned by the Montgomery Housing Alliance, Montgomery for All, Action Committee for Transit and more says the library should be kept at its current Connecticut Avenue location and redeveloped with housing.

See the full letter here.

"We believe it is important to maintain a library in this location and would not want to see the library relocated," the letter says. "Therefore, we urge you to work with the existing community to understand how their needs can be best met with the library’s redevelopment, while also addressing the significant housing needs of residents who have been kept out of Chevy Chase due to high housing costs and a history of exclusionary policies."

The letter notes the county's need of affordable housing, and the high rental and home prices in the area of the Chevy Chase Library.

"We believe this is an opportunity to model the future of Montgomery County by mixing housing and a public facility in one location near transit, services, amenities, and jobs," the letter says. "This project is key to meeting the county’s goals to achieve racial equity and social justice, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation."

The organizations also point out the potential benefits to the library system, including an increase in membership and the ability to offset the cost of library renovations.