Petworth Library Renovation
Project Overview
The Petworth Library, located at 4200 Kansas Avenue NW, has served its Ward 4 neighborhood for generations, and the way people use it has changed. DC Public Library set out to maintain the existing building and refresh it to meet the neighborhood's evolving needs. The renovation reconfigured the library's layout, moving Adult Services to the ground level and youth and teen services to the upper level, and brought new flooring, wallcoverings, furniture, lighting, and finishes to all three levels.
The project design was developed by Moya Design Partners as interior architect, with Chiaramonte Construction Company serving as the general contractor. The updated interior draws on the library's existing architectural character, including its original millwork, fireplace mantels, and terrazzo entry. The library closed for construction in December 2025 and reopened to the public on August 23, 2026, after a nine-month renovation.
Our Role & Scope of Work
CCC served as the general contractor, responsible for construction management and trade coordination for the interior renovation. The work covered new flooring, wallcoverings, lighting, and finishes on all three levels, carried out around historic features that were preserved in place. The scope also included sound-absorbing panels for meeting spaces, improved signage, the replacement of select windows, a new water bottle refill station, and power and data aligned with the new layout, along with an upgrade to the building automation system that controls heating and cooling.
Community Impact
The renovated Petworth Library is brighter, more comfortable, and organized around how its customers use it today, with clearer separation between adult and youth spaces and power and Wi-Fi where people need them. The project is part of Next Libris, DC Public Library's plan to maintain its buildings and update them as neighborhoods change, and it ensures the Petworth Library remains a welcoming place for the Ward 4 community for years to come.
