Mayor Muriel Bowser has requested the reprogramming of $12.5 million in FY 2025 Capital Funds from the District of Columbia Public Libraries (DCPL) to the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) to facilitate the completion of Phase 1 of the Barry Farm project. The funds will be redirected from the Southeast Library project, and the Mayor's office has assured that this reallocation will not negatively impact the DCPL's budget or the District's overall financial plan. The Chief Financial Officer has confirmed the availability of these funds due to the federal government awarding DCPL American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, which will replace the reprogrammed amount.

The resolution emphasizes the urgency of this reprogramming to ensure the timely progress of the Barry Farm project, as any delay could hinder its completion. The Office of Budget and Performance Management has indicated that there will be no adverse operational impacts from this reallocation, and the CFO has raised no objections to the request. Additionally, the resolution outlines the financial status of the Southeast Library project, which has a total budget of approximately $53.2 million, and highlights the importance of effectively managing public funds to enhance community resources, including libraries.