Charlotte Mecklenburg Library unveils design for $100 million new main library; CM seeks trade contractor prequalification applications

0
2723

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has unveiled the designs for its new $100 million, 115,000-sq. ft. main library in Uptown Charlotte.

Rodgers Leeper is accepting job specific trade contractor prequalification applications for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Support Services Center Renovation project. 

The renderings show five levels above ground and one below, two outdoor terraces, an extensive active lobby, a vendor-operated café, advanced technology capabilities including two immersive theaters, collections spread throughout the building, flexible meeting space and rooms, a revamped Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room, a main entrance on North Tryon, and more, the library says in a news release.

Snøhetta is the design architect, with Clark Nexsen as architect-of record.  Rodgers Leeper will lead the construction management team.

The library will break ground on the new building in early 2021 and is scheduled for completion and opening in early 2024.

“The new main library will be an architecturally-distinctive, state-of-the-art, technologically-advanced knowledge center and public commons, where everyone in our community can access the resources of a 21st century library, use them to learn and grow to the best version of ourselves, connect with others and participate in the public life of our community,” library CEO Lee Keesler says in a statement.

“This will be the gateway to a re-imagined North Tryon street corridor, and a catalyst for additional re-development to be announced surrounding our block. The new Main Library helps further our mission to improve lives and build a stronger community by strengthening public engagement, supporting economic opportunity and connecting community resources.”

The new Main Library project will be a public-private partnership. Mecklenburg County has committed $65 million and the associated build-out of an offsite support services center to house non-customer facing activities at the existing Main Library.

Meanwhile, The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation’s CommonSpark campaign will raise $50 million for the new Main Library, plus an additional $20 million for library system needs. Total public and private funding for the project is $135 million. For information, visit https://www.cmlibrary.org/future-main-library.

“The new Main Library will be a remarkable place and space where the entire community can gather as it has since the original Carnegie Library opened at this site in 1903. The Library Foundation invites our entire community to invest in the next generation of readers, leaders and learners,” says Jenni Gaisbauer, executive director for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation.

New Main Library design details

The library has been designed to provide flexible spaces to meet demand for print and digital information and reading materials, public co-working spaces, and meetings, events gatherings, and other specialized uses. The building is designed to be expansive and inviting, opening itself up to the surrounding city and offering a diversity of integrated spaces that allow it to function as a place for knowledge and exchange. Each level is designed with a specific thematic focus:

  • Lower Level: houses a pre-function and event space;
  • Level 1: includes the two main entrances as well as a café entrance, lobby, café, immersive theater area, reading zones, and self-service checkpoints;
  • Level 2: features the welcome and orientation center for new and recent Mecklenburg residents, with a job training center and counseling services space, along with the core technology and makerspace offerings, including a technology center, computer lab, digital visualization lab, and recording studios. There is also an outdoor terrace which offers views up and down Tryon Street and connects to the street life below;
  • Level 3: houses the bulk of the collections and offers soft seating for reading and research overlooking Tryon and 6th streets, along with staff space;
  • Level 4: showcases the revamped Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room, and features the library’s special collections and an immersive theater and staff space;
  • Level 5: houses the destination reading room, a writer’s studio and porch, and an outdoor terrace which serves as a reading, programming and meeting space with a unique view of Uptown Charlotte, along with administrative offices; and
  • The new construction includes energy-efficient lighting, flooring, furnishings and fixtures with a low environmental impact, and energy-efficient heat and air conditioning.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.