Building a new Northgate branch, community center and park and street improvements for Fifth Avenue Northeast

January 2006

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Construction of the new branch library, community center and park at Fifth Avenue Northeast and Northeast 105th Street continues to make good progress.

The structures have taken shape, brickwork is being installed and roof work has started. Inside, crews are installing steel stud framing and roughing in the mechanical and electrical systems.

The park was hydro-seeded in the fall so the seed could sprout before winter and the area is now covered with a fine layer of fresh green grass.

The facilities and the park are expected to be completed in mid-2006.

In February, the Seattle Department of Transportation will start transforming Fifth Avenue Northeast into a safe, pedestrian-friendly street that accommodates all types of transportation. Improvements include landscaping medians, widening sidewalks, planting trees and creating a pedestrian promenade with an improved crosswalk connecting the new community center and library to the Northgate Mall.

Quick facts

	Library	Community center	Park	Street improvements
Size	10,000 SF	20,000 SF	1.67 acres	1st phase: Northgate Branch Project Improve Fifth Avenue Northeast between Northgate Way and Northeast 105th Street
Project description	Collection capacity of 40,200 books and materials Meeting room Areas for children and youth Public computers	Teen camps Basketball leagues Classes After-school programs	Multi-purpose recreation area Community center play area Courtyard Plaza/amphitheater	Wider sidewalks with trees Improved crossing to Northgate Mall Landscaped Street medians Improved street lighting
Total project budget	$6.69 million	$8.85 million	$4.8 million	$2.1 million
Contact information	David Kunselman, 386-4096, david.kunselman@spl.org	Tim Motzer, 684-7060, tim.motzer@seattle.gov	Tim Motzer, 684-7060, tim.motzer@seattle.gov	Sandra Woods, 684-5298, sandra.woods@seattle.gov

Key Milestones

• January 2006: Brickwork and roof work have started on the library and community center. The park was hydro-seeded in the fall so the seed could sprout before winter.
• October 2005: Steel work is under way on the library and community center. The community center’s concrete block gymnasium has been completed
• March 2005: Construction began on the new facilities and park. The construction contract was awarded to low bidder Absher Construction Co.
• February 2005: Library and Parks received six bids from contractors. Four bids were within the project budget.
• January 2005: Library and Parks rebid the project with a revised design.
• November 2004: The City Council approved Mayor Greg Nickels' proposal to add $1 million to the Northgate Branch, community center and park project as part of his 2005 budget.
• September 2004: Mayor Greg Nickels proposed adding $1 million to the Northgate project as part of his 2005 budget.
• July 2004: Construction bids for the project came in higher than expected.
• November 2003 & February 2004: Residents viewed design images of the project.
• May 2003: Residents described their vision for the design, and discussed preferences in services, equipment, programs, library collections, and artwork.
• March 2003: The Library and Parks selected The Miller/Hull Partnership to design the project.
• February 2003: Residents commented on site plans.
• October 2002: The Library and Parks selected ARC Architects to provide site planning services.
• June 2002: The Library and Parks agreed to build the project on the former Bon Tire Center site at Fifth Avenue Northeast and Northeast 105th Street.
• August 2001-February 2002: Parks holds three public meetings for residents to discuss siting options for community center and park.
• November 2000: Seattle voters approved the $198.2 million Pro Parks Levy.
• May 2000: The Library and Parks invited residents to a meeting to discuss co-locating the Northgate branch and community center.
• January & March 2000: Library holds two public meetings for residents to discuss siting options for new branch library.
• November 1999: Seattle voters approved the $72 million community centers levy.
• November 1998: Seattle voters approved the $196.4 million "Libraries for All " bond measure.

Return to the Building a New Northgate Branch page

Return to the Libraries for All capital projects page

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Content modified: 24 January 2006