The Seattle Public Library board of trustees has selected Schacht/Aslani Architects to design the expansion of the historically significant Douglass-Truth Library, 2300 E. Yesler Way. The board made its unanimous choice at its May 22 meeting.
Eleven firms applied to design the nearly 7,000-square-foot expansion. An advisory panel that included Central District residents reviewed proposals and conducted interviews with four finalist firms.
City Librarian Deborah L. Jacobs told the board that the advisory panel was impressed with Schacht/Aslani's ability to collaborate with communities.
Founded in 1996, Schacht/Aslani Architects' principals have substantial experience with historic buildings and libraries. Its principals have worked on the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library in Oregon, the renovation of the Suzzallo Library at the University of Washington, a library, classroom and sanctuary building at Temple B'nai Torah in Bellevue, a library, classroom and fine arts building at Whatcom Community College in Bellingham and the Squaxin Island Tribe Museum Library and Research Center near Shelton.
Central District residents attended a public reception on May 14 to meet the designers from Schacht/Aslani Architects, along with architects from three other finalist firms. The architects displayed samples of their work and answered questions.
Community representatives who served on the advisory panel include:
Patron Jackie Lawson, an author, certified genealogist, vice president of Black Heritage Society of Washington State Inc. and founder and co-chair of Seattle Black Genealogy Research Group;
Richard Mitchell, a former architect and a trial attorney in the Seattle office of Dorsey & Whitney, LLP, whose practice focuses on all phases of development, design, construction and real estate-related matters;
Patron Margaret Sandvig, former nurse manager at Harborview Medical Center in the burn/plastic surgery unit, member of Kimball Elementary School PTSA and board member at Lakewood Cooperative Preschool.
The 8,008-square-foot Douglass-Truth Library opened in 1914 as the Yesler Library, named in honor of Seattle pioneer Henry Yesler. The library was later renamed to honor Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth. It houses the African-American Collection, a special collection containing more than 9,000 books dealing with the African American experience.
The $3.5 million project will include 6,992 square feet in additional space, an updated and expanded collection of 66,700 books and materials, more space and better storage for the growing African-American Collection, a new children's area, more seating, computers and parking, larger and more efficient staff work areas, upgraded electrical, mechanical and ventilation systems, and energy efficient windows. The project 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, 206-615-1627.)
Return to the list of Libraries for All press release headlines
Content modified: 23 May 2001
12/30/2005
© 1999-2006 - The Seattle Public Library