Seismic Retrofit Projects

The Seattle Public Library’s Green Lake Branch, one of the Library’s historic Carnegie buildings, reopened on October 28, 2024. The branch temporarily closed beginning February 1, 2023 for major renovations, including a seismic retrofit and the installation of an electric HVAC system and accessible elevator, and other interior improvements.

This project, funded by the 2019 Library Levy, presented a unique opportunity to make the Green Lake Branch safer, greener, and better able to meet the needs of the community while preserving its important legacy.

The improvements and renovations to the Green Lake Branch included:

• Seismic Retrofit: The Green Lake Branch received a comprehensive structural upgrade that significantly increases the safety of the building during an earthquake.
• Accessibility Improvements: The entire building was made more accessible for patrons with a new ramp from the sidewalk, a new ADA parking stall, new restrooms and a new fully accessible, west side building entrance leading to a new elevator serving both floors.
• HVAC System Replacement: The current gas-fired boiler system was replaced with a new, highly efficient electric heat pump. The system provides heating and air conditioning throughout the branch, allowing it to remain open and provide shelter and relief for the community on hot days. It also significantly reduces our carbon emissions.
• Interior Renovations: Interior improvements include renovations to the meeting room, two new study rooms, remodeled staff work areas, a new circulation/service desk, new lighting and new furniture. These improvements provide more usable space for patrons and more efficient and flexible use of the branch interior.
• Sustainability: The LEED-certified project is designed to meet the City of Seattle’s goals for environmentally responsible design.

The Seattle Public Library’s University Branch has temporarily closed from Wednesday, January 29, until late 2026 for a seismic retrofit and other major renovations, including the installation of an electric HVAC system, an elevator, additional restrooms, study rooms, and a dedicated multipurpose room.

Project details, plans and illustrations may be found in the University Branch Presentation Boards and Architectural Plans. The unique historical and cultural legacy of the University Branch will be protected and preserved throughout the project.

This project is made possible by funding from the 2019 Library Levy. Additional funding for this project has been provided by a Congressional procurement secured by U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal and by grants from FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Program and the Washington State Department of Commerce.

Project Scope:

Seismic Retrofit

The University Branch will undergo a seismic retrofit to protect patrons, staff and the building during an earthquake.

HVAC Installation

The current gas-powered furnace will be replaced with a modern, electric HVAC system, providing air conditioning and improved ventilation while reducing carbon emissions.

Accessibility Improvements

Access to the branch will be improved with new accessible ramps and paths from perimeter sidewalks to branch entrances, new accessible entrances at the southwest corner and north side of the branch, new accessible parking spaces, new accessible restrooms on both floors and the installation of branch elevator.

Interior Renovations

The branch interior will be reconfigured with the addition of two new study rooms, a dedicated music room, a relocated and renovated meeting room and additional public restrooms.  New and improved lighting, shelving, carpets and furniture will also be installed in the branch.

Exterior Renovations

The branch exterior will be repaired and repainted. Historic design elements, including exterior windows and stucco will be restored and weatherproofed. The existing clay tile roof will be retained with minor repairs.

Sustainability

The renovated branch will meet the City of Seattle’s goals for environmentally responsible design and will be LEED Gold Certified. Along with other energy conservation improvements, the branch will be outfitted with solar panels on the roof and capacity for future EV charging stations on the parking lot.

Seismic Retrofit Complete

We are excited to announce that the seismic retrofit portion of the University Branch project is now complete, with final structural support components successfully installed. These final components include a large shear wall replacing the unreinforced masonry at the rear of the branch and a steel moment frame to secure the area around the branch entrance.

Repair and Restoration of Historic Features

The University Branch project has provided a great opportunity to repair and restore historic features of this landmarked building. After almost 120 years in operation, there’s a lot of work to do. Large sections of the original masonry had been damaged as the building aged, and perhaps as a result of prior seismic events, but that damage had been hidden behind old plaster walls. Our crews have exposed sections of masonry to repair the damage, and will recover them with new plaster to match the original appearance of the exterior.

New Study Rooms and Accessible Entrance

At the rear of the University Branch, new steel framing and concrete platforms have been built on either side of the building. The framing on the northwestern corner marks the space where new study rooms will be added, which will be accessible from the main floor and reservable for patrons.

The framing on the southwestern corner will be the location of a vestibule for the new accessible branch entrance. Later on in the project, the branch parking lot will be regraded to be level with the new entrance. An ADA pathway will also run from the entrance around to the front of the branch and to the sidewalk on Roosevelt Way NE.

New Walls, New Ceilings, New Floors

On the main level of the University Branch, significant progress has been made in preparation for a complete refresh of the interior. New concrete floors have already been poured. New steel framing has been installed along the reinforced shear walls to support new branch interior walls and a new plaster ceiling, which will be skim coated to match the original appearance. The framing will also allow new and thicker insulation to be installed, which will improve the energy efficiency of the branch and reduce the load on the new HVAC system.

Once the interior infrastructure is complete, the main level will be outfitted with new carpeting and tile, and the historic windows, which have been refurbished, will be reinstalled. When that work is done, new furniture, shelving and lighting will be installed on the main level, providing more comfortable and welcoming spaces for patrons.

Renovations and Improvements Downstairs

The lower level of the University Branch has been completely reconfigured to increase accessibility and usable space, prepare for the installation of a new elevator and HVAC system, and better meet the needs of patrons and staff.

The old meeting room on the south end of the lower level is being converted to staff office space, and a new, modern meeting room is being prepared on the north end, closer to the new elevator. Framing has been completed and drywalling is near completion for the staff offices, meeting room, accessible public restrooms, and multipurpose/piano room.

An energy recovery ventilation system has been installed that will work with the modern electric HVAC system to reduce energy consumption and improve air quality inside the building. All the refrigerant piping for the HVAC system has been completed and the venting is currently underway.

Upcoming Work and a Tentative Timeline

There will be a lot of visible construction activity around the University Branch in the coming months. The new elevator is expected to be delivered and installed in early April. The new HVAC units are scheduled to be installed on the northwest corner of the branch roof in May. Also in May, crews will be refinishing the branch exterior.

Hardscaping is happening now around the University Branch grounds, with retaining walls being installed in preparation for new accessible ramps and pathways. Landscaping will begin this summer.

We are working toward a projected reopening in September, and will provide another project update in June.

The Columbia Branch will undergo major renovations projected to begin in 2027. The work will include a seismic retrofit, extensive accessibility improvements and interior modernization. We expect the Columbia Branch project to be similar in scope to the Green Lake Branch project that was successfully completed in October 2024.

As part of a separate project, funded by FEMA, a modern electric HVAC system will be installed at the Columbia Branch in late 2026, providing air-conditioning and improved ventilation while reducing our carbon footprint.

The unique historical and cultural legacy of the Columbia Branch will be protected and preserved throughout these projects.

The Columbia Branch will undergo major renovations projected to begin in 2027. The work will include a seismic retrofit, extensive accessibility improvements and interior modernization. We expect the Columbia Branch project to be similar in scope to the Green Lake Branch project that was successfully completed in October 2024.

As part of a separate project, funded by FEMA, a modern electric HVAC system will be installed at the Columbia Branch in late 2026, providing air-conditioning and improved ventilation while reducing our carbon footprint.

The unique historical and cultural legacy of the Columbia Branch will be protected and preserved throughout these projects.