Columbia Pike Library

Photographs of the crowd from the June 16, 2010 Town Meeting at the Career Center regarding an Arlington County proposal to close the Columbia Pike Library at Walter Reed Drive.  Organizers estimate attendance at 384.

BREAKING NEWS — County Manager Withdraws Proposal to Move Columbia Pike Library

I am withdrawing the proposal to relocate the Columbia
Pike Branch Library. The library will continue to offer services at this
branch, at its current location, with no change in scope or format.

We solicited public opinion on the staff proposal to relocate the
Columbia Pike Branch Library to Arlington Mill. Staff met with Civic
Association leaders, solicited comment through the County website and
social media, and held a well-attended town hall meeting this week.
Public sentiment was strong and clear: People are passionate about this
facility in its current location.

Staff will move forward expeditiously with development of the
Arlington Mill Community Center. We will continue to explore options
with the Steering Committee, framed by the existing community proposals
and operating budget constraints, for any additional space that will be
available in the Arlington Mill Community Center.

Of course the news just broke on  arlnews.com that we've won. The county manager has withdrawn the proposal to move the library.  I guess we can all get back to enjoying the quality of life in our neighborhood and the blues festival; though if anyone is interested in continuing to use the community energy to pressure for a defined plan regarding the Career Center, I'm all for it.  I'd like to hope that this move has kindled some additional civic spirit and fostered some new connections in the community.

John Fontaine

Arlington Kids Protest Proposal to close Columbia Pike Library