Shaw Library Renovation

Project Overview

The Shaw/Watha T. Daniel Library, located at 1630 7th Street NW across from the Shaw Metro station, opened in August 2010 as a three-story Ward 2 neighborhood library. More than fifteen years later, the way the community uses the building has changed significantly. DC Public Library is renovating the library to refresh the building and create a brighter, more welcoming space, with a redesigned layout and building-wide upgrades to lighting, HVAC, and energy systems. The renovation is supported by $7.9 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.

The project design was developed by Quinn Evans, with Chiaramonte Construction Company awarded the construction contract. The library closed on May 18, 2026, and is expected to reopen in early 2027.

Our Role & Scope of Work

CCC is serving as the construction contractor, responsible for construction management and trade coordination for the renovation. The planned improvements bring more natural light throughout the library and add new reading nooks, study booths, and a clearer path from the entrance to the children's spaces. On the upper floor, the work creates a larger, more defined teen area with updated finishes and added privacy, along with enhanced adult reading and study areas. Behind the finishes, the scope includes the upgrades to lighting, HVAC, and energy systems that will carry the building through its next chapter.

Community Impact

During construction, Shaw customers are being served by the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. When the Shaw/Watha T. Daniel Library reopens, the neighborhood will return to a building that keeps its well-known architecture while offering brighter spaces, better places to study, and a teen area sized for the young people who use it, ensuring the library continues to inspire learning and community in Ward 2.