The Seattle Public Library is seeking architect and engineering teams to provide design services for four neighborhood library projects. The projects are being funded through the $196.4 million "Libraries for All" bond measure that voters passed in 1998.
Architect/engineering teams are being sought to design new library buildings in Montlake and South Park, the renovation of the existing Fremont Library and the expansion of the existing Southwest Library. Interested firms are invited to an information conference scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26 at the Temporary Central Library, 800 Pike St., second floor Board Room.
The current 1,574-square-foot Montlake Library, a converted retail store, is Seattle Public Library's next-to-smallest neighborhood branch, yet it is heavily used by children, working parents, retirees and University of Washington students. The new 5,000-square-foot library will have an updated and expanded collection of 18,700 books and materials, more seats, a meeting room, upgraded technology services and equipment, and parking. The $2.57 million library will be located at the northwest corner of 24th Avenue East and East McGraw Street. It is scheduled to open in 2004.
South Park's new 5,000-square-foot branch will have a collection of 18,700 books and materials, a special area for children, modern computer work stations and instructional spaces, a meeting room, and parking. The $2.53 million project is being funded out of the Opportunity Fund, a special fund created as part of the "Libraries for All" bond measure to be used for new or unanticipated neighborhood library capital needs for underserved areas of Seattle. The Seattle Public Library board of trustees has narrowed to two the number of potential locations for the new branch: South Cloverdale Street and Eighth Avenue South, southeast corner, (apartment building), with the addition of an adjacent 3,000-square-foot vacant lot; and South Cloverdale Street and Eighth Avenue South, southwest corner, (one business, one residence). A completion date has not yet been set for the new library.
The 6,060-square-foot Fremont Library, 731 N. 35th St., was built in 1921. The Carnegie-funded branch is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been designated as a Seattle landmark. The $554,000 renovation project includes converting 780 square feet of storage to public and staff space, more seats, an expanded book collection, more computer work stations, improved parking, and more efficient lobby, circulation desk and work areas. The renovation is scheduled to be finished in 2004.
Southwest Library, which opened in 1961 at 9010 35th Ave. S.W., is currently 7,557 square feet. The $4.3 million expansion will add 7,443 square feet of space and feature an expanded book collection, new seating and shelves, expanded program, service and work areas, new computer work stations and study areas, a meeting room, upgraded technology services, connections and equipment, better lighting and mechanical systems, improved seismic safety, and improved parking. The expansion is scheduled to be finished in 2004.
Architect/engineering teams must deliver their proposals by 2 p.m. Friday, March 8, 2002, to Capital Program Director Alexandra Harris, Seattle Public Library, 800 Pike St., Seattle, WA 98101-3922.
For more information, interested firms may check the Library's Web site at www.spl.org, select "Libraries for All," or call the Capital Program Office at 206-386-4624.
(For more information, call Caroline Young Ullmann, communications assistant, at 206-615-1627.)
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Content modified: 5 February 2002
12/30/2005
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