Building a New Ballard Branch

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Ballard Branch

Ballard Branch Status Report

Project description

• Replace the current 7,296-square-foot branch, which was built in 1963.
• The new branch has an updated collection, more seats, expanded reference areas, larger areas for children and young adults, more computers, a meeting room and underground parking.
• The building also includes the 3,100-square-foot Ballard Neighborhood Service Center.

Key contacts for the new Ballard Branch

• Ballard Branch: 206-684-4090
• Capital program office: 206-615-1698, e-mail: capital.program@spl.org

Milestones

• May 2005: The new Ballard Branch of The Seattle Public Library and the Ballard Neighborhood Service Center opened at noon Saturday, May 14.
• April 2005: The old Ballard Branch at 5711 24th Ave. N.W. closed April 10, to allow the Library to move operations to the new branch.
• February 2004: Construction began on the new branch and the neighborhood service center.
• December 2003: The Seattle Design Commission commended the Library for design excellence and innovation for the building design.
• April 2003: The Seattle Design Commission approved design development plans and said the project did not need additional review.
• March 2003: Residents attended a public meeting to see the building design.
• October 2002: The Seattle Design Commission approved schematic design plans for the new building.
• July 2002: U.S. Bank decided not to participate in a mixed-use project that would have included the new library, the neighborhood service center and a bank branch. Instead, U.S. Bank will move its Ballard branch to a new location.
• May 2002: Residents attended a public meeting to see the first images of the new library and neighborhood service center. The Seattle Design Commission approved conceptual design plans for the project.
• September 2001: The Library signed an agreement with U.S. Bank to buy the bank's property at 22nd Avenue Northwest and Northwest 57th Street for the new library and neighborhood service center. The site also will accommodate a U.S. Bank branch.
• June 2001: Residents attended a "hopes and dreams" meeting to share ideas on design, collections, programs and artwork for the new branch and neighborhood service center.
• May 2001: The Seattle Public Library board of trustees selected Fall City artist Donald Fels to design artwork for the new branch.
• April 2001: As an outgrowth of Ballard's municipal center master planning process, residents and business owners, library staff members and representatives of other city agencies formed the Ballard Library Project Advisory Committee to articulate the community's goals before design begins.
• September 2000: The Library Board identified a site currently occupied by U.S. Bank at 22nd Avenue Northwest and Northwest 57th Street as its first preference for the site of the new branch. The Library and U.S. Bank are exploring siting the bank, the library and a neighborhood service center on the property.
• March 2000: The Library Board selected the architectural firm of Bohlin Cywinski Jackson to design the new branch. Earlier in the month, about 150 community members met architect finalists at a reception.
• November 1999: The Library Board narrowed to three the list of potential sites for the new branch.
• October 1999: Residents discussed the opportunities and challenges of six sites at a community meeting to talk about where to build the new branch. The Library added to the list three more sites that residents proposed.
• November 1998: Seattle voters approved the $196.4 million "Libraries for All" bond measure. The bond money, which can be used only for construction of libraries, is funding a new Central Library and new and improved branches.

Quick facts

Next steps

• Branch completed.

See also "Libraries for All" 1998 Capital Plan (issued March 13, 1998).

Content Modified: 16 November 2006

11/16/2006

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