The restoration of the historic flying saucer at the new Hyattsville public library will be completed in August.

For the final step of the saucer’s move, the contractor working on the new library building will replace its Plexiglas dome, according to Michael B. Gannon, chief operating officer for support services for the Prince George’s County library system.

“It had cracked over the years and was in bad shape,” he told the Hyattsville Wire. “The architect thought it would be structurally unsound once moved.”

The new dome, located on the site of the new library at 6350 Adelphi Rd. currently under construction, will be made of a stronger Plexiglas material and will restore the saucer’s round top, which currently looks flat, leading to questions on the HOPE in Hyattsville listserve in recent days.

Contractors will also repair some small holes on the saucer’s inner piers from the crane attachment used during the move in 2019, and the concrete will be pressure washed after the public art and the parking lot are finished.

The saucer was slated to be torn down along with the old library, but a public effort to “Save the Saucer” led to a change in construction plans. Fans of the flying saucer can also buy a T-shirt from the library foundation in both adult and youth sizes.

Support the Wire and Community Journalism
Make a one-time donation or become a regular supporter here.