Demolition Work Begins!

Construction contractors have been busy over the past month with interior demolition work and site preparations.

Demolition of the rear portion of the main library is scheduled to begin on or about January 3, 2011. Although the library will remain open for business during this process, we do want to advise our customers that there will be some noise associated with this work.

Once the rear portion of the library is demolished, work can begin on the underground parking structure and new two-story library addition.

Parking and Book Drop Access

To accommodate the construction of our new underground parking garage and subsequent new library addition, the small parking lot behind the Main Library is now CLOSED. Information about nearby alternative parking options is available at the library and on our project website.

These options include the adjacent pay-and-display Centre-in-the-Square lot, and some local on-street parking. Short and all-day parking is also available at the nearby Duke & Ontario Garage, City Hall Garage, Kitchener Market Garage, the new parking structure at Charles & Benton Street (sheduled to open in January 2013).

Due to the closure of the Main Library’s back parking lot, the book drop has been RELOCATED to the front Queen Street entrance. The Main Library book drop will only be available when the library is closed. During regular opening hours, customers are asked to return their material inside the library.

For your convenience, library materials can also be returned to any of our four community library locations.

Project Contractor Announced!

We are thrilled to announce that on September 7th, Kitchener City Council approved our Library Board’s recommendation to award the contract tender for our joint Library renovation and underground parking garage project to Maystar General Contractors Inc.

Based in Vaughan, Ontario, Maystar General Contractors Inc. has been in the construction business for over 20 years and has completed more than 50 projects. Maystar has developed a reputation within the industry for completing major projects on time and on budget.

Some of Maystars most recent projects include a $45 million state of the art high school & aquatic centre for the York Catholic School Board and City of Vaughan; a $34 million multi-purpose arena and recreation complex for the City of Oshawa; and a $110 million project which saw the renovation and upgrading of several long term care facilities across Southern Ontario. Currently, Maystar is constructing a new $84 million Civic Centre for the City of Vaughan.

Not only are we excited that our project has reached this next major milestone, but also that we will be working with such an experienced general contractor!

Official Groundbreaking Ceremony!

Be part of KPL history! Join us on the front lawn of the Main Library at 85 Queen Street North for our official groundbreaking ceremony. We invite you to share in our excitement as we begin construction on our new Central Library.

Saturday, September 11 at 12:00 noon
Rain or shine. Light refreshements will be provided.

Hope to see you there!

Public Information Session

The City of Kitchener and the Kitchener Public Library will begin construction on two major projects at the main branch of the Kitchener Public Library and the adjacent surface parking lot this fall.

The first project will be the development of a 412-space three-level underground parking garage located between the Gaol Wall and McKenzie King Park towards the Centre-in-the-Square.

The second project will be the expansion and renovation of the Kitchener Public Library Main Branch, located at 85 Queen Street North.

The public is invited to attend a special information session to learn more about:

• Library and Garage Designs
• Landscaping Plans
• Vehicular and Pedestrian Access
• Construction Phasing
• Library Fundraising Plans
• Urban Square Concepts

When: Tuesday, June 29, 2010 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm
Where: Kitchener Public Library - Hamblin Room - 85 Queen Street North

Information display boards will be posted outlining the intended work and staff from the library, the city and the consulting team will be available to answer questions.

New Children’s Programming Space at the Kitchener Market!

Although we plan to continue offering drop-in family storytimes at the Main Library throughout our renovation process, beginning this September, the majority of our children’s programs will be held at our exciting new space at the nearby Kitchener Market.

In fact, we have already started offering selected children’s programs at the Market, and we will be increasing the amount of library programs hosted at our dedicated Market space throughout the summer. Please note that children’s programs will continue as usual at our four Community Library locations throughout the renovation and construction on our Main Library site at 85 Queen Street North.

We’ve had a great response from our customers about our new Market space – check it out the next time you are shopping at the Market. And don’t forget, the Kitchener Market offers two hours of free parking!

Kids Club
Take a break from shopping and drop by the KPL space on the upper level of the Kitchener Market for stories, crafts and fun.
Saturdays 9:00 am – 11:00 am
@ The Kitchener Market
Drop in, no registration required.

Call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) Public Art Project

Announcing the City of Kitchener's latest public art competition: Kitchener Public Library. An exciting reconstruction of the main library deserves a wonderful work of art!

Artists/artist teams are invited to submit professional qualifications and a letter of interest as a first stage in the two-stage Kitchener Public Library Public Art Competition. The competition is open to professional artists/artist teams with experience in creating site responsive permanently installed public art projects.

The deadline for first stage submissions is March 30, 2010

For complete details on this public art project including how to submit your expression of interest, please visit: www.kitchener.ca

What We’ve Heard

For the past few months, we have been seeking public feedback on our library designs. So far the response has been overwhelmingly supportive of both our project and of our designs.

Learn more about our project, view our designs and send us your feedback by visiting our Central Library Project website at: http://www.kpl.org/central/

Below are just a few of the positive responses we have received to date:

Question:Does the proposed library design create a welcoming and attractive library space that will be seen as a destination for people of all ages?

Responses:
Yes – very much so. I’m delighted from what has developed since the vote ‘opposing’ the Centre Block idea. It could be done and has been.

I am quite happy with the overall design and concept of the library.

Yes it does it looks very welcoming

I think it is cool.

Question:Does the proposed library design complement the Civic District and help contribute to the creation of an active, vibrant streetscape?

Responses:
I live in a home I own a block away and I would love to see this design. Think of the impact on our future? They’ll love it!

Very much so. The openness of the public buildings is gratifying of the cooperation of all concerned. You are to be commended for what you have and are proposing

Question:Does the proposed library design address the need for improved parking within the Civic District?

Responses:
Very important and potentially profitable.

Good idea Yes!

Very much soDefinitely

Question:Does the Central Library schematic design capture your vision for the Central Library?

Responses:
Yes it does I would be proud to live in a neighbourhood with this building.

You bet. I hope I live long enough to see it in reality. It’s an exciting design and proves it could be done.

Yes – hurry up!