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EXPANDING THE LAKE CITY BRANCH
DESIGN UPDATE OPEN HOUSE MEETING RECAP

4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2003
Lake City Branch, 12501 28th Ave. N.E.

About 30 members of the public attended this open house to see the design for the expansion of the Lake City Branch. Douglas Bailey, Library project manager, Amy Wartick from ARC Architects, Boyka Thayer from Tattersall Design, and Jane Grafton, a local artist working with the design team, displayed updated designs and talked with the public about the 5,987-square-foot expansion project.

Also present at the open house were: The Seattle Public Library board of trustees member Eric Liu, board steward for the Lake City Branch; Capital Program Director Alexandra Harris; Val Frye, Neighborhood Library Services LFA liaison; and Andy Bates, Lake City Branch manager.

Public reaction to the design of the new branch and neighborhood service center was positive. Comments included:

• Pleased with the way the new library will look.
• Like how the new library will work for patrons.
• Like the materials and colors that have been selected for both inside and outside the building.
• Do not like the color scheme because it is not blue and doesn’t feel fresh.
  Response: The color scheme is based on brown, ocher, and a deep mustard yellow. It was selected to complement the interior brickwork of the historic building.
• Pleased that the wonderful courtyard and gates are being preserved.
• How will the expanded library be better for the public?
  Response: The majority of space in the new building is for public use, which includes a significantly expanded children's section and the addition of group study, quiet reading, and meeting rooms.
• What is the expected closing date and duration of construction?
  Response: The Library currently expects to close the branch in summer 2003, and reopen approximately one year later.
• How will the façade of the expansion relate to the existing library, which is a landmarked building?
  Response: Following the philosophy of the Landmarks Preservation Board, the new building will complement the existing building without mimicking it. The addition will have a brick base that will be the same style and color as one of the darker hues in the existing brick.

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 Lake City Branch.

Please send your comments about the Lake City Branch expansion project to Library staff or e-mail the capital program office at capital.program@spl.org. To contact capital projects manager Douglas Bailey, call 386-4173 or e-mail douglas.bailey@spl.org.

Content Modified: Content Modified: 24 February 2003

12/30/2005

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