Denver Central Library to Receive Updates
The Denver Central Library, now 15 years old, will receive some updates in the coming months. From facade reinforcements to internal reconfigurations, the building, located at 10 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy. in Denver’s Golden Triangle district, will soon experience renascence.
“Renovations will take place in phases,” said M. Celeste Jackson, spokesperson, Denver Public Library.
The Central Library will remain open to the public during the renovation period, however perimeter barricades, overhead protection, slings, girds, scaffolding and related equipment will become familiar sites to the exterior and interior of the nearly 540,000 sq. ft. facility until the work is completed.
“This is a busy time for us,” Jackson added. In addition to the work at the Central Library, staff is working to temporarily close other locations for scheduled renovations and gearing up for Renovation Celebrations at three locations. The Renovation Celebrations will be held to recognize the completion of scheduled infrastructure maintenance made possible by the 2007 Better Denver Bond Program.
Mid-September
- Pedestrians will access the Denver Central Library via a tunnel constructed under the Library’s East Entrance Portal located on the East side of the building (at Broadway).
- Eight stories of protective scaffolding will be erected along the building’s south side and on three additional sides of the southern portico to provide protective covering.
The work now underway, and highly visible on the building’s exterior, is required as a result of the recently downed window sill.
“We’re reinforcing areas of structural concern relative to the building’s facade; and in early- to-mid October, scheduled interior reconfigurations will begin,” Jackson said.
No injuries resulted from the windowsill collapse at the Central Library. Design professionals with the building’s original architect, Klipp Colussy Jenks DuBois Architects (now klipp), have been retained to mitigate further possible damages and complete the necessary repairs and reinforcements to restore the building to full use.
Better Denver Bond-funded Improvements to Denver Central Library
Better Denver Bond improvements will begin at Denver Central Library shortly following the 12th Annual Booklovers’ Ball set for Saturday, October 10. The Central Library will remain open during the extensive renovations; the work will be performed in phases and should be completed in approximately one year.
klipp, the local portion of the original design team contracted to build Denver Central Library, are providing design and construction management services for what’s been dubbed “CR3: Central Library Redesigned, Renewed, and Reaffirmed.” Plans for CR3 include extensive reuse of the existing design elements, materials, colors, furniture, shelving and signage with approximately $600,000 budgeted for new items.
Krahl Associates, Inc. has been awarded the approximately $1.5 million construction contract for extensive interior improvements to the Central Library including integration of technology, news finishes, millwork, signage, electrical, lighting, mechanical and fire alarm upgrades.
The project budget for new technology is $1,010.242 and includes an automated handling system, more computers and the installation of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. For more information about RFID, visit the RFID at DPL page.
Mid-October
Enhancements to the Central Library, which will be visible to Library customers include:
- An expanded Community Technology Center that increases customer access to computers, technology training and to tech savvy staff.
- A simplified checkout area that takes advantage of RFID technology to provide a better balance of self-services and staff assistance.
- Increased opportunities for customers to interact with staff via appointment service and roving reference.
For more information about the bond projects, please visit the Bond Program Improvements at Denver Public Libraries page or contact Library Facilities Management at 720-865-1152.
Denver Central Library was funded in part by a $91.6 million bond issue passed in 1990 by Denver voters. Completed in 1995, the building pairs the renovated Burnham Hoyt-designed building with the new addition designed by Denver-based Klipp Colussy Jenks DuBois Architects, P.C., and Michael Graves of Princeton, NJ. The total structure is 538,350 square feet.
About Denver Public Library
Open daily; closed on major holidays. Denver's award-winning Library features a whimsical Children's Library, Summer of Reading programs; storytimes, public computers and cultural programming for children and adults. DPL holds world-class Western History materials including art, maps, rare books and manuscripts.
For media inquiries please contact:
M. Celeste Jackson
Public Relations Manager
Phone: 720-865-2044
Fax: 720-865-2081
E-mail: cjackson@denverlibrary.org
Denver Public Library Online ©
Updated: September 14, 2009
