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EXPANDING THE DOUGLASS-TRUTH BRANCH DESIGN UPDATE OPEN HOUSE
3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, 2003
Douglass-Truth Branch, 2300 E. Yesler Way

About 20 members of the public attended this open house to see the design for the expansion of the Douglass-Truth Branch. Frank Coulter, Library project manager, and Walter Schacht, Cima Malek-Aslani and Eric Aman from Schacht/Aslani Architects displayed updated designs and renderings and talked with the public about the expansion project.

Also present at the open house were The Seattle Public Library board of trustees member Gordon McHenry Jr., board steward for the Douglass-Truth Branch, Valerie Garrett-Turner, Douglass-Truth Branch manager, Samuel Jackson, Douglass-Truth Branch librarian, Val Frye, Neighborhood Library Services Libraries for All liaison, and members of the Citizen Implementation Review Panel (CIRP), a 15-member panel that provides citizen oversight of the Library's Libraries for All building program.

Public reaction to the design of the branch addition was positive. Comments and questions included:

• Like the spaciousness and daylight in the new addition.
• How will the new meeting room be named? Suggest naming it after prominent African-American resident Roberta Byrd Barr.
  Response: Naming opportunities for Library facilities are handled by The Seattle Public Library Foundation, which coordinates all donations.
• Design is appropriate to the historic site regulations, and the improved facilities will be a great addition to the neighborhood.
• Concerned about the east facade of the addition; blank wall could be target for graffiti; suggest breaking up wall with windows or other relief, possible exterior art.
  Response: Final material selections for the east wall have not been made, but consideration about materials resistance to graffiti and other forms of vandalism will play a role in the final decision.
  The designers explored the use of windows on the east wall throughout the design of the project and, in fact, several have been added. Exterior artwork was considered as a potential design element but the artists chose to locate their work inside the building.
• Like the design; additional space will be fantastic.
• Encourage careful consideration of crime prevention through environmental design.
  Response: The design principles of CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) are a part of the Library’s design standards. Natural surveillance, territorial reinforcement, defensible space, natural access control, and electronic security are all principles the design team is asked to consider during the design of the building.
• Feel Library has not done enough to inform and include library neighbors in design process.
  Response: The Library mails meeting announcements to everyone on the mailing list, which is made up of people who have attended previous meetings or have expressed an interest in the project. Announcements also are sent to all Seattle media, posted in the branch, churches, schools, local gathering places, the Neighborhood Service Center, community newsletters, community listservs and the Library's Web site.
• Design for remodeled branch is stupendous. Library functions are addressed in a practical and colorful way.
• Concerned about planning for parking availability and potential congestion from construction vehicles.
  Response: Due to the physical constraints of the existing site and the status of the building and landscape as a Seattle landmark, the Library will seek an Administrative Conditional Use permit to waive the requirements of the Seattle land use code regarding required number of parking stalls for a public library. The Master Use Permit process will make available to the public all data regarding the Administrative Conditional Use permit application.
  Construction crews will be required to follow all applicable city ordinances regarding noise generation and traffic control. The Library will work with the contractor to ensure that construction activities are well controlled and impacts to the neighborhood are minimized.
• Glad to see space for young adults and another fine space for children.
• Access for people with disabilities, restroom facilities and meeting rooms are improved.
• Douglass-Truth Branch is an asset for the neighborhood now and will be even more so in the future.

Next steps: The Library will continue the design development process with the architects and the Landmarks Preservation Board, and will display the updated design at the Douglass-Truth Branch.

Please send your comments about the Douglass-Truth Branch expansion project to Library staff or e-mail the capital program office at capital.program@spl.org. To contact capital projects manager Frank Coulter, call 615-1621 or e-mail frank.coulter@spl.org.

Content Modified: Content Modified: 17 July 2003

12/30/2005

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