The Seattle Public Library is seeking architect and engineering teams to provide design services for four neighborhood branch library projects. The projects are being funded through a combination of privately raised funds and the $196.4 million “Libraries for All” bond measure that voters passed in 1998.
Architect/engineering teams are being sought to design the renovations and expansions of the existing Broadview and Magnolia branches and interior renovations of the Queen Anne and University branches. The Queen Anne and University branch projects may be awarded to a single firm.
Interested firms are invited to an information conference at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 27, at the Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Level 4, Howard S. Wright Family & Janet W. Ketcham Meeting Room.
The existing Broadview Branch at 12755 Greenwood Ave. N., which was built in 1976, will expand from 8,405 square feet to 15,000 square feet. The $3,650,394 expansion project will include more seating, new computers and electrical service, improved lighting, more energy efficient windows, new shelves, a more efficient interior layout, and better signage. The expansion is expected to be complete in 2006.
When the bond measure was passed, plans called for renovating the Magnolia Branch at 2801 34th Ave. W. to upgrade technology services, equipment and air conditioning, improve electrical, communication and computer connections, add energy-efficient windows and new carpeting, and improve the interior layout. That work was budgeted at $875,727, which also included an inflation adjustment and additional funding by The Seattle Public Library Foundation for artwork.
In October 2000, the Seattle Public Library board of trustees approved spending an additional $1,624,365 for an approximate 1,800-square-foot addition to the existing 5,904-square-foot branch. The money comes from the Opportunity Fund, a special fund created as part of the bond measure to be used for new or unanticipated neighborhood library capital needs for underserved areas of Seattle.
The architect chosen for the Magnolia project will first need to assess the feasibility of the expansion, and the impact of expansion on the site and existing building. The project is expected to be complete in 2006.
The Queen Anne Branch, 400 W. Garfield St., and the University Branch, 5009 Roosevelt Way N.E., are both historic branches funded by wealthy philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.
Interior improvements to the Queen Anne Branch, which opened in 1914, will include new seating, air conditioning, upgraded technology services and equipment, more electrical, communications and computer connections, more efficient interior layout and better acoustics. Those improvements were budgeted at $550,622, which also included an inflation adjustment and additional Foundation funding for artwork.
In October 2000, the Library Board also approved spending an additional $101,523 in Opportunity Fund money to relocate staff and public spaces in the Queen Anne Branch as part of a pilot program to study efficient use of space in Carnegie libraries. The renovation is expected to be complete in 2006.
Interior improvements at the University Branch, which opened in 1910, will include new seating and shelving, a more efficient interior layout, new computer work stations and study areas, more electrical, communications and computer connections, elevator access to the meeting room, upgraded technology services and equipment, air conditioning and the addition of energy-efficient windows. The budget is $791,950, although an additional $211,938 has been set aside to pay for technology, exterior and interior capital improvements, and landscaping work. The project is expected to be complete in 2005.
The Queen Anne, University, and Magnolia branches are landmark buildings, therefore proposed changes will be reviewed by the city’s Landmarks Preservation Board. The Broadview Branch project will be subject to Seattle Design Commission review.
Architect/engineering teams must deliver their proposals by 2 p.m. Friday, June 4, 2004, to Capital Program Director Alexandra Harris, The Seattle Public Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle, WA 98104.
For more information, interested firms may check the Library’s Web site at www.spl.org, select “Libraries for All Building Program,” or call the Capital Program Office at 206-386-4624.
To date, the Library has completed the Capitol Hill, Delridge, Green Lake, NewHolly, Rainier Beach, Wallingford and West Seattle branches. The new Central Library opened May 23. Upcoming branch openings include: the new High Point Branch on Saturday, June 19; the expanded North East Branch on Saturday, June 26; and the new Beacon Hill Branch on Saturday, July 10.
The Ballard, Columbia, Fremont, Greenwood, Lake City and Southwest branches are currently in the construction phase and the Library is close to calling for construction bids for the Northgate and Montlake branch projects. Planning and design is under way for many other branches.
The Seattle Public Library Foundation is in the final phase of a “Campaign for Seattle’s Public Libraries” with the goal of raising $82 million from private sources to enhance the public bond commitment. Every dollar raised will ensure a level of excellence in the library’s facilities, collections, and programs that would not be possible through its tax-based support alone.
(For more information, call Caroline Young Ullmann, communications assistant, 206-615-1627.)
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Content modified: 25 May 2004
05/25/2004
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