The Seattle Public Library board of trustees has selected Cardwell/Thomas & Associates Architects to design the expansion of the historically significant Columbia Library, 4721 Rainier Ave. S. The board made its unanimous choice at its June 26 meeting.
Twelve firms applied to design the 5,440-square-foot expansion. An advisory panel that included Columbia City residents reviewed proposals and conducted interviews with three finalist firms.
Board member Linda Larson, who also is the board steward for the Columbia Library, said the panel was impressed with Cardwell/Thomas' extensive experience in historic preservation and with libraries.
Panel members also appreciated the firm's previous design work and felt its attention to community process would contribute to the success of the project.
Founded in 1976, Cardwell/Thomas & Associates has worked on three academic libraries and 16 public libraries in Washington, California and Oregon. In the late 1980s, the firm was selected for the restorations of the Columbia, Green Lake and Queen Anne libraries.
Community representatives who served on the advisory panel include patrons:
Sharon E. Gossett, an educator and professional development instructor for teachers;
Gail Mukai, a retired nurse, instructor for University of Washington nursing students, and staff development instructor at Harborview Medical Center's operating room;
Maria Robinson, a researcher and neighbor of the Columbia branch.
The current 5,838-square-foot Columbia Library, which opened in 1915, is the smallest of the Seattle branch libraries funded by Carnegie grants. W. Marbury Somervell and Harlan Thomas designed the original building.
The improvements will include 5,440 square feet in additional space, an updated collection of 40,200 books and materials, more seating, special areas serving children, young adults and adults, more computer work stations and instructional areas, modern electrical, mechanical and air conditioning systems, more efficient lobby, circulation desk and staff areas, more parking, and better access for disabled people.
The $3.2 million expansion is scheduled to be completed in 2003.
The expansion is part of the $196.4 million "Libraries for All" bond measure that Seattle voters passed in 1998. The plan calls for improving or replacing all 22 branch libraries, building five new branches and building a new central library. For more information about Libraries for All, visit the Library's Web site at www.spl.org and select "Libraries for All capital projects."
(For more information, call Caroline Young Ullmann, communications assistant, at 206-615-1627.)
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Content modified: 28 June 2001
12/30/2005
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