Information for Architects, Consultants, Contractors & Bidders
Libraries for All
Capital Program Office:
capital.program@spl.org
1000 Fourth Ave.
Seattle, WA 98104
206-386-4624
January 2001
Dear Seattle Public Library patrons and friends:
The Seattle Public Library, under its Libraries for All program, is planning on changes to improve many of its branch libraries and the Central Library. As part of the planning process, and as required by environmental regulations, the Library has considered the historic and architectural significance of its Modern-era buildings, those that date from the 1950s and 1960s. This effort is part of the library's ongoing stewardship of its properties.
The historic review has resulted in landmark nomination reports for six buildings - the Central Library and the North East, Henry, Southwest, Ballard and Magnolia branch libraries. Seattle's Landmarks Preservation Board is responsible for reviewing all the nominations at public meetings. The Library and its historic consultant believe that two of the buildings, the North East and Magnolia libraries, should be given landmark status.
The Library remains committed to its vision for improved and expanded library facilities. Regardless of the individual building's landmark status, the Library plans to select and work with qualified architectural designers, library staff and patrons, and the residents of Seattle to assure the new building designs are respectful of the qualities of the existing buildings and sensitive to community needs.
Landmark status does not preclude changes to a property. If a building is designated as a landmark, there will be design reviews with the city's Landmarks Preservation Board.
The City of Seattle requires that a potential landmark property be at least 25 years old and have intact original qualities. Seattle's landmark ordinance also requires that a designated property meet specific criteria.
The landmarks board reviewed the nominations for the Central, North East and Southwest library buildings in December. It decided not to designate the Central Library and to further consider the North East and Southwest libraries at a public meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 17. The landmarks board will review nominations for Henry, Ballard and Magnolia libraries at a public meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 7. Both meetings are set for 3:30 p.m. in the Arctic Building, 700 Third Ave., 10th floor, room 1003.
If you would like to know more about the plan for replacing the Ballard Library, visit the Library's Web site at www.spl.org. If you would like to know more about the landmark board's meetings, contact Beth Chave, board coordinator in the city's Division of Urban Conservation, at 206-684-0380.
Copies of the landmark nomination reports on the Feb. 7 agenda are available for review at the Henry Library, 425 Harvard Ave. E.; the Magnolia Library, 2801 34th Ave. W.; the Ballard Library, 5711 24th Ave. N.W.; and in the Humanities Department in the Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave.
Copies of the landmark nomination reports on the Jan. 17 agenda are available for review at the North East Library, 6801 35th Ave. N.E.; the Southwest Library, 9010 35th Ave. S.W.; and in the Humanities Department in the Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave.
Sincerely,
Deborah L. Jacobs
City Librarian
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Content Modified: 22 July 2002
12/30/2005
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