The Seattle Public Library board of trustees has named 13 people and one alternate to serve on the Architect Selection Panel for the Central Library.
The volunteer panel will review, evaluate and rank the qualifications of architects interested in designing the new central library. "The panel includes architects, an artist, developer and individuals with different professional expertise, including technology and business, as well as supporters of the Library," said Library Board President Betty Jane Narver.
The panel includes: Phil Jacobson, retired principal from TRA and professor emeritus, University of Washington Department of Architecture; Rick Sundberg, FAIA, Seattle Design Commission chairman and principal of Olson/Sundberg Architects, Val Thomas, Planning Commission chairman, architect and developer; Janet Ketcham, community volunteer who serves on the executive of the Seattle Art Museum Board and is vice president of the board; Dennis Andersen, pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church, Friends of the Seattle Public Library trustee and Landmarks Preservation Board member; Linda Saunto, librarian, Seattle Public Library and Library employees union representative; Clint Pehrson, Clint Pehrson Architects and member of Allied Arts; Tom Alberg, principal, Madrona Investment Group; Nora Jaso, principal, Studio Jaso architects; Norie Sato, artist; Ross Baker, attorney, AT &T Wireless; Paul Maritz, group vice president of Platforms and Applications for Microsoft Corp.; H. Jon Runstad, co-founder, chairman and CEO of Wright Runstad & Co. Matthew Stadler, author, is an alternate to the panel.
The Library Board is accepting statements of qualifications from architects through Wednesday, March 31. Capital Program Director Alexandra Harris said interest in the project is high, having received calls from local and international architectural firms.
"The process for selecting an architect is a reflection of our commitment to strong community involvement and ownership, and will lead to a decision that will respond to Seattle's hopes and dreams for a new library," said City Librarian Deborah L. Jacobs.
The Architect Selection Panel is tentatively scheduled to recommend a short list of three to five firms to the Library Board by April 22. The finalists will then develop their proposals further and the panel will recommend a firm to the Library Board by mid-May. The Library Board is expected to make a decision on an architect by May 18. Interviews with the finalists will be televised on Municipal Channel 28. Harris said the Library is exploring a number of different ways to involve the public and get additional citizen input on the architect selection process.
The panel will be evaluating potential firms against an established set of criteria included in the published Request for Qualifications.
Funding for a new 355,000-square-foot library downtown was approved by Seattle voters in November. The facility, scheduled to open in 2003, will be constructed on the current location at 1000 4th Ave.
(For more information, call Andra Addison, communications director, at 206-386-4103, or andra.addison@spl.org.)
See also Architect Selection Advisory Panel Biographies.
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Content modified: 26 March 1999
12/30/2005
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