Library Begins Process to Hire Project Architect

On Monday, March 30th, an EOI (Expression of Interest for Architectural Services) was issued inviting interested architectural firms to consider working with us on our main library renovation and expansion project. Our project now includes the addition of a shared 412 space underground parking structure adjacent to the main library on Queen Street.

The library anticipates selecting an architect by July 2009.

Details about our EOI can be found on the City of Kitchener’s Tenders, Proposals, Quotations and Expressions of Interest website: http://www.kitchener.ca/tenders/tender.asp

City Approves Underground Parking Project Adjacent to Main Library

A project that will see the construction of a 412 space underground parking facility adjacent to the current Main Library at 85 Queen Street was approved by the Finance and Corporate Services Committee of the City of Kitchener. Final approval for the project is expected at the end of March 2009.

This project is a joint initiative between the City of Kitchener, the Kitchener Public Library, the Region of Waterloo, and the Province of Ontario. The shared parking structure will help meet the parking needs of all the partners involved and will build on the draft vision developed through public feedback for the Civic District.

According to Mayor Carl Zehr, this joint parking facility is a “win, win, win”. Along with providing the necessary increase in available parking for the Region and the Province’s new courthouse project, the parking facility will also provide the Main Library with the 112 spaces needed for the expanded library project.

Construction of the $18.4 million underground parking facility will begin in the summer of 2010 and will be completed in 2013 at the same time as the renovated and expanded Main Library.

For more information about this joint parking project, please read the Civic District Parking Structure Business Case.