The Seattle Public Library board of trustees
has selected Heliotrope Architects of Seattle
to design the interior renovations to the
Madrona-Sally Goldmark Branch. The Library
Board made its unanimous decision at its
Jan. 26 meeting.
“The panel was impressed with Heliotrope’s
enthusiasm and the spirit of collaboration
within the firm,” said Michael Parham,
Library Board steward and a member of a
community advisory panel that interviewed
three firms from the city’s consultant
roster for the job. “We think they’ll
bring energy and new ideas to this project.”
Heliotrope, a four-person firm, was established
in 2000 and works on private and public
sector projects ranging from about $100,000
to $ 3.5 million. The firm has completed
projects in historic buildings.
Parham stressed that the other two candidates
for the job – BOLA Architects and
Jaso Ludviksen Architects – also were
strong contenders.
Community representatives serving on the
advisory panel include residents Junius
Rochester, a historian and the author of
“The Last Electric Trolley,”
a history of the Madrona neighborhood, and
Jane (Jennie) Gran, a real estate consultant
who regularly visits the branch with her
young son.
The interior renovations will include new
seating, upgraded technology services and
equipment, better electrical, communication
and computer connections, a more efficient
interior layout, improved ventilation, a
modern mechanical system and an updated
book collection.
The 1,707-square-foot branch opened in a
converted firehouse in 1973 and is heavily
used by residents and schoolchildren. The
building was upgraded in 1986 at a cost
of $84,854, but problems remain with its
layout, program and work areas, and electrical
and ventilation systems.
The $268,113 renovation project is part
of the $196.4 million “Libraries for
All” bond measure, which voters approved
in 1998. The bond money, which can be used
only for construction of libraries, is funding
new and improved branches, in addition to
the new Central Library. To date, the Library
has completed 17 projects and 11 other projects
are in the planning, design or construction
phase.
The Seattle Public Library Foundation continues
to raise funds from private sources to enhance
the public bond commitment and keep pace
with the demands of patrons for a high level
of library service. 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, visit the Library’s
Web site at www.spl.org.
(For more information, call Caroline Young Ullmann, assistant communications director, 206-615-1627.)
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Content modified: 1 February 2006
02/01/2006
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