Site Preparation Update

Site preparation work for our project has begun. A topographical survey for the site has been completed and drilling for the geotechnical report and environmental assessment is nearing completion.

The geotechnical investigation will provide information on the physical properties of the soil around the site and the environmental assessment will include underground water testing.

The geotechnical and environmental assessments are conducted as a standard component for any substantial construction project.

City of Kitchener Parks staff will be conducting an assessment of the trees on the Library and Parking Garage site. This information will be used by the Landscape Architect to develop a tree management plan for our project

Central Library Schematic Design Progress

Library staff and Levitt Goodman Associates, in association with The Walter Fedy Partnership and Philip H. Carter Architect, have begun work on the schematic design for the renovated and expanded Central Library. Schematic design provides a general overview of the various areas of the library and defines the scale of the project. This stage precedes the detailed design phase.

We anticipate that a schematic design of the Central Library and Underground Parking Garage will be shared with the public in the fall of 2009. We welcome your feedback on the Central Library design process. The dates and times of these public viewings will be posted here once they are determined.

Jazz @ the Library Concert a Great Success!

Our recent Jazz Concert at the main library on Queen Street was a huge success! The event was sponsored and presented by the library’s architect Levitt Goodman Architect in association with The Walter Fedy Partnership and Phillip H. Carter Architect. The event drew a standing-room only crowd of over 200 people. Attendees had an opportunity to look at displays about the library’s architectural team, the Civic District vision, the library renovation and expansion project, ask questions, and of course, enjoy a great show.

A big thank you to everyone who came out to the event in support of KPL! We also want to thank our architect team, specifically The Walter Fedy Partnership, and our Civic District partners, most notably the Registry Theatre and the KW Symphony, for all their efforts in organizing and helping out with the event.

Jazz @ the Library

In Celebration of the Central Library Renovation and Expansion Project and Underground Parking Complex.

Help kick-off the Central Library renovation project by joining us for a FREE afternoon of jazz! Learn more about the library’s renovation and expansion plans, enjoy some light refreshments, and groove to some great music.

The afternoon event will include live music from the KW Symphony, an opportunity to meet the architectural design team, and a special one-hour concert performance by Larry’s Jazz Guys, featuring Larry Larson, principle trumpet with the KW Symphony.

Saturday, July 25th from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Main Library Auditorium85 Queen Street North

Light refreshments provided. Everyone is invited – so please join us!

City Approves Architect for Library Renovation and Expansion Project

On Monday May 25, 2009, Kitchener City Council approved awarding the contract for consulting services for the design and construction of the library renovation and expansion and underground parking garage to Levitt Goodman Architects in association with The Walter Fedy Partnership and Phillip H Carter Architect.

This partnership offers KPL the expertise of Phillip H Carter, a renowned Library architect, combined with the innovative and fresh approach of Levitt Goodman Architects, a talented architectural design firm, and The Walter Fedy Partnership, a local firm offering architectural, engineering and construction services.

Levitt Goodman Architect is familiar with the library project having worked on the 2005 Library Building Program and the 2007 Assessment of the Main Library Facility and Site. Levitt Goodman projects include the Waterloo Regional Children’s Museum and the University of Waterloo School of Architecture.

Phillip Carter has successfully overseen over 50 libraries including renovations to over twenty-five (25) Toronto Public Library Branches. Among these are the highly praised, Malvern District Public Library and the Lillian H. Smith Library.

To complement their design skills, Levitt Goodman Architects have also partnered with The Walter Fedy Partnership to provide solid expertise in parking garage design, LEED, mechanical, electrical and structural engineering.

“Levitt Goodman and their associates demonstrated a clear understanding of a public library’s unique design needs,” said Dan Carli, chair of the KPL Board. “A public library is not just a warehouse of books. It is a community place where people gather to learn, share, listen and be heard. Such a place requires not only an innovative design, but also one that takes into consideration the community it serves. Levitt Goodman and the team they have assembled were a unanimous choice”.