Let's talk Lochwood Library

Been meaning to write something about this and was reminded when I made a run to Home Depot last night about it — the Lochwood Library. Sure they celebrated the groundbreaking nearly a month ago, but better late than never, right? (I mean the Dallas Morning News just last week printed a story about the planned retirement community at Northwest Highway/ old Northwest Terrace property that we’ve been talking about for ... oh, about a year now — and with no new information mind you.) There are a couple things I love about the whole incoming Lochwood Library (scheduled to open in early 2009) situation.

One, that spot (on Lochwood Blvd. near Garland Rd.) has been scary ugly for a while now. I hated driving by and seeing the ramshackle ex-YMCA and its patchy unkempt grounds — my siblings and I played T-ball there when we were kids. It was sad to see the spot in such bad shape.

The location is one of the entryways into the Lochwood neighborhood — where I grew up — and the library will make the whole area more inviting. I didn’t realize until today that the Casa View Library is essentially moving into this new spot (hey, I’m trying to keep up there’s a lot going on around here) and shutting down its very old far East Dallas building.

Two, the idea of the Casa View Library coming to my old neighborhood induces more nostalgia — I went to grade school right near the Casa View Library and spent countless after-school hours there. That’s always been my favorite library though there are lots newer and closer.

According to the DMN (yeah, they're on top of this one), the new library will be a 19,000-square foot "green" building "incorporating energy-efficient lighting and organic landscape materials. The facility will house 70,000 volumes of books, plus computers. A black box theater, public meeting space, classrooms, and 100 parking spaces also are part of the design."

Comments

[Lee G.]

I'm sorry to hear about the Casa View Library finally moving. Like you, I spent countless hours there as a kid. In fact, I remember the Grand Opening, at which I met then-Mayor J. Eric Jonsson and received his autograph, which I kept for many years afterward. I also worked there (for one weekend afternoon) to get a Boy Scout library merit badge.

[Michael Mosteller]

Thanks for the update. I scored my first goal in soccer at that YMCA. I live on Sinclair and I would love a great place to take my daughter. I hope we see some construction starting soon.