Environmental Assessment
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MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. MEMORIAL LIBRARY ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT This page left intentionally blank. ii MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. MEMORIAL LIBRARY ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), in cooperation with the District of Columbia Public Library (DCPL), has prepared an Environmental Assessment to evaluate impacts of alternatives for the rehabilitation and modernization of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (MLK Jr. Library). The MLK Jr. Library is located at 901 G Street, NW, Washington, DC. This EA evaluates three design concepts, or action alternatives and a No-Action Alternative. The DCPL is proposing to rehabilitate and modernize the MLK Jr. Library and to construct an addition on the roof that will include an event space. The project would include many environmentally sustainable elements including making the building more energy efficient as well as more comfortable for occupants. DCPL would seek a minimum of LEED®-Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The following will be incorporated into the project: a renovated reading room; digital computer center; classrooms and training facilities; innovation and creativity commons; co-working and collaboration spaces; gathering spaces for performances, readings, and civic engagement; history center, flexible spaces for use by city agencies or like-missioned non-profits; and auxiliary spaces such as a café, a welcome center, and event space with catering kitchen. The proposed project is subject to the review of NCPC under the National Capital Planning Act. The EA has been prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, the Council on Environmental Quality’s Regulations for Implementing NEPA (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] 1500-1508); NCPC’s implementing regulations (69 FR 41299); and the National Capital Planning Act. Probable environmental impacts and potential mitigation measures have been identified for the proposed alternatives for the rehabilitation and modernization of the MLK Jr. Library and the No-Action Alternative. Questions or comments on the EA should be addressed to: National Capital Planning Commission Attention: Ms. Jennifer Hirsch 401 9th Street, NW North Lobby, Suite 500 Washington, DC 20004 Phone: (202) 482-7200 Email: [email protected] iii MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. MEMORIAL LIBRARY ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT This page left intentionally blank. iv MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. MEMORIAL LIBRARY ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................... iii Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................. v 1. Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action ............................................................................ 1 1.1 Introduction...................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Background ....................................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Purpose of the Action ....................................................................................................... 3 1.4 Need for the Action .......................................................................................................... 3 1.5 Scoping ............................................................................................................................. 4 1.6 Environmental Assessment Process, AND Procedures .................................................... 6 2. Alternatives Including the Proposed Action ............................................................................ 7 2.1 Description of the Proposed Action ................................................................................. 7 2.2 Alternatives Given Detailed Consideration ...................................................................... 7 No-Action Alternative .............................................................................................................. 7 Action Alternatives ................................................................................................................... 8 2.3 Alternatives Considered and Dismissed ......................................................................... 29 Modernization with 5th Floor Curvilinear Event Space + 3 Story Addition ........................... 29 3. Affected Environment and Impacts to the Human Environment .......................................... 31 3.1 Impact Topics Dismissed from Further Analysis ............................................................ 33 Geology Topography, and Soils.............................................................................................. 33 Vegetation and Wildlife ......................................................................................................... 34 Threatened and Endangered Species .................................................................................... 35 Coastal Zone Management .................................................................................................... 35 Floodplains ............................................................................................................................. 36 Wetlands and Water Resources ............................................................................................ 37 Population and Housing ......................................................................................................... 38 v MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. MEMORIAL LIBRARY ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Environmental Justice ............................................................................................................ 38 Taxes and Revenue ................................................................................................................ 39 Noise ...................................................................................................................................... 40 Archeological Resources ........................................................................................................ 41 Waste Management .............................................................................................................. 41 Climate Change ...................................................................................................................... 41 3.2 Impact Topics Analyzed in Detail ................................................................................... 42 3.3 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ...................................................................................... 42 Impacts to Stormwater .......................................................................................................... 43 3.4 Air Quality ....................................................................................................................... 45 Impacts to Air Quality ............................................................................................................ 46 3.5 Land Use Planning and Zoning ....................................................................................... 49 Impacts to Land Use Planning and Zoning ............................................................................. 52 3.6 Economy, Employment, and Income ............................................................................. 55 Impacts to Economy, Employment and Income .................................................................... 58 3.7 Community Facilities and Services ................................................................................. 59 Impacts to Community Facilities and Services....................................................................... 60 3.8 Historic Resources .......................................................................................................... 63 Impacts to Historic Resources................................................................................................ 88 3.9 Utilities ........................................................................................................................... 95 Impacts to Utilities ................................................................................................................. 96 3.10 Transportation ................................................................................................................ 97 Traffic Operations Analysis .................................................................................................... 99 Public Transportation Facilities ............................................................................................ 102 Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities .......................................................................................... 105 Parking Facilities................................................................................................................... 107 Impacts to Transportation ................................................................................................... 109 vi MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. MEMORIAL LIBRARY ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 3.11 Environmental Contamination and Harzardous Materials .......................................... 118 Impacts to Environmental Contamination..........................................................................