Charlotte Mecklenburg Library unveils design
for $100 million new main library; CM seeks
trade contractor prequalification applications
North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has unveiled the de-
signs for its new $100 million, 115,000-sq. ft. main li-
brary in Uptown Charlotte.
Rodgers Leeper is accepting job specific trade con-
tractor prequalification applications until Dec. 9 for the
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Support Services Center
Renovation project. Click to link to their website.
The renderings show five levels above ground and
one below, two outdoor terraces, an extensive active
lobby, a vendor-operated café, advanced technology ca-
pabilities 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 open-
ing in early 2024.
“The new main library will be an architecturally-dis-
tinctive, state-of-the-art, technologically-advanced
knowledge center and public commons, where every-
one 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 par-
ticipate 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-de-
velopment 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 sup-
port services center to house non-customer facing ac-
tivities 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 commu-
nity 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 informa-
tion 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
4 — NOV/DEC 2019 — The North Carolina Construction News
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 of-
ferings, 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
Proud To p artn er with These Lines s:
below; • Level 3: houses the bulk of the collections and of-
fers soft seating for reading and research overlook-
ing Tryon and 6th streets, along with staff space;
• Level 4: showcases the revamped Robinson-Span-
gler 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 meet-
ing space with a unique view of Uptown Charlotte,
along with administrative offices; and
The new construction includes energy-efficient light-
ing, flooring, furnishings and fixtures with a low envi-
ronmental impact, and energy-efficient heat and air
conditioning. *
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f full details.
The North Carolina Construction News — NOV/DEC 2019 — 5