Last Days for Former Library, Residential Planned

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The former R.L. Christian Library; 1300 H Street NE.
The little R.L Christian library building --at 1300 H St NE-- hasn't operated as a library since 2009; and now its days of just existing are about to come to an end. A raze notice was recently posted to the site and a new mixed-use (residential & commercial) building will take its place.

The "temporary" library kiosk was one of many set up by the District in the 1970s and 1980s to increase access to the library system  for neighborhoods without a dedicated, permanent library. The kiosks were thought to have an initial life span of about seven years. After shuttering the R.L Christian in '09, the District sold the property in 2014. The site is 10,800 square feet and adjacent to a DC Streetcar stop.

1300 H St NE. Source: Maurice Walters Architect
A trio of developers including Insight Property Group will convert the parcel into 55 foot tall, 4 story, 33 unit residential building with 5,900 sq feet of retail. This is the same company that paid $10M for Murray's site + $12M for the adjacent self-storage site, and converted those properties into the Apollo apartment building. The current timeline has delivery of 1300 H Street NE scheduled for late 2018. It appears that there will be six affordable units at <80% and <50% AMI. They're looking to obtain LEED Silver certification.

If you're nearby and still looking for a library, try Rosedale Neighborhood Library, located at 1701 Gales St NE. It's great!
1300 H St NE. Source: Maurice Walters Architect.
1300 H St NE. Source: Maurice Walters Architect.

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