Congress Heights Library Design Reveal Gallery and Meeting

View designs, and enjoy remarks and Go-Go at Sycamore & Oak

Tour the design gallery, hear from and provide direct feedback to the Design-Build Team (first 200 people get a voucher for FREE food) and enjoy a FREE concert by Junkyard Band at Sycamore & Oak.

DC Public Library is currently in the design process for a fully funded new library in Congress Heights with the design-build team Perkins + Will Architects and Turner Construction. The new full-service, 20,000-square-foot plus library will be built next to the Congress Heights Metro Station at 1290 Alabama Ave SE. This library will replace the store-front Parklands-Turner Library, located at 1547 Alabama Ave. SE.

Sycamore & Oak is hosting DC Public Library for a special Congress Heights Design Reveal Gallery and Meeting where participants can tour the design gallery and provide direct feedback to the design-build team followed by remarks and a FREE concert by beloved Go-Go legends Junkyard Band and DJ Big John. 

• 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. | Design Gallery: Walk through staffed stations where you will have a chance to see how the input gathered through surveys and community meetings has shaped the initial designs of this new library. You will also have a chance to give direct feedback to the design-build team so you can see how the design of the Congress Heights Library is continually evolving to serve you. The first 200 participants to tour the design gallery and provide feedback to the design-build team will receive a $15 voucher to spend on food and drinks at Sycamore & Oak.
• 6 - 8 p.m. | Official Remarks and FREE Concert with Junkyard Band and DJ Big John: At 6 p.m. representatives from the library and the community will discuss the progress of the project and provide context for the designs on view. Following the remarks, groove to D.C.'s original beat with a FREE concert by Junkyard Band and DJ Big John! 

We look forward to seeing you there - your participation is essential to help us ensure your new library is a reflection of you and your neighbors!

This will be one of two opportunities to see the new designs. If you cannot make this in-person meeting, a second, virtual meeting, will be held the week prior on Wednesday, July 10 at 6 p.m. Click the link to get details on how to join the virtual meeting.

Traveling to Sycamore & Oak

Metro
We strongly recommend utilizing public transit when visiting Sycamore & Oak. The retail village sits directly adjacent to Congress Heights Metro Station on the Green Line, a mere 3-minute stroll away. Follow directional signs through the Kiss & Ride parking lot, passing the Blue Lot, then turn right onto Oak Dr. SE. For detailed metro maps and schedules, visit WMATA.com or call (202) 637-7000.

Bicycle
Outside The Entertainment & Sports Arena, adjacent to us, bike racks await. The closest Capital Bikeshare station stands at Congress Heights Metro Station, just a 3-minute walk from the retail village.

Car
Sycamore & Oak is conveniently accessible from I-295, I-395, and the Capital Beltway. If you're arriving via rideshare, head to the designated drop-off/pick-up area near the retail village's front step entrance, across from The Entertainment & Sports Arena, on Oak Drive. Google Maps offers assistance for navigation.

Parking
Limited paid on-site parking is offered in the Green Lot (at Malcolm X Ave. & 8th St. SE) and the new parking garage behind The Entertainment & Sports Arena. Pricing varies by event, and both cash and credit are accepted at both locations. On-street parking is available on the St. Elizabeths campus on a first-come-first-served basis.

Parking Garage
Access the garage by entering at Cypress Avenue and following it until it intersects with Pecan St. SE. Paid parking is available on event days.

About Junkyard Band

Junkyard band began in 1980 as a group of kids playing in a lot with plastic buckets, soda cans and other found objects, emulating the sounds of some of their favorite go-go bands who performed in their Southeast, DC neighborhood Barry Farms also known as "the projects". The band began to play talent shows and street performances throughout DC, taking audiences by storm - playing from the grounds of the Smithsonian and Washington Monument, to the streets of Georgetown.

The band became a novelty act across the District, Maryland and Virginia areas (DMV). Their popularity led to a TV commercial with one of the area's most popular retailers - Cavaliers Men’s Clothing Store. Shortly thereafter in 1983, the band landed an appearance in the movie "D.C. Cab" because it had quickly become a tourist attraction and Washington, DC institution.

In 1985, Junkyard caught the attention of Def Jam Records and was signed that same year to a multi-year recording deal. The band worked closely with producer Rick Rubin, recording and releasing the national hit "Sardines" and an underground favorite "The WORD". After release of the songs, Junkyard began to tour in the United States and played major venues such as Capital Centre, Richmond Coliseum and the Apollo Theater. The tour included dates with a variety of groups such as Slayer, Fishbone and the Beastie Boys. Following that, in 1986 Junkyard appeared in the Def Jam produced movie "Tougher Than Leather" alongside Run-DMC.

Because of the unique beginnings of the band, it has performed on all types of stages, in all types of situations from street corners, to clubs, to weddings, to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The band has opened for and performed with/backed-up numerous artists such as Tupac, Ice Cube, Salt-N-Pepa, Doug E. Fresh, Lauryn Hill, Chuck Brown and so many others. As the band started when the members were pre-teens, Junkyard has been going strong for more than three decades.

Adding to the band's many accomplishments, special honors, awards, and accolades, Muriel Bowser, mayor of Washington, D.C., proclaimed Jan. 15, 2018 as Junkyard Band Day!

About DJ Big John

A phenomenal DJ who highlights EVERY corporate event, party, or function! He goes by the name of DJ BIG JOHN ~ DAT BAMMA BE CRANKIN! John Royster, professional known as “DJ Big John” is a native Washingtonian. He was raised in Southeast, DC and graduated from North Carolina Central University. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Public Administration.

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