Preliminary Design Plans -- Libraries for the Future
Sequence of Construction/Renovation
A preliminary phasing schedule has been developed, but it is subject to change. Before construction can begin, design work, bidding and awarding of contracts must be completed.
John A. Howe Branch
Existing as a branch library in the South End since 1928, the John A. Howe branch will be enlarged and rehabilitated to provide twenty-first century library services. The existing site on Schuyler Street between Broad and Clinton Streets will be expanded to the north by the purchase of several city and privately owned parcels. The site area will be expanded to 16,068 square feet (.37 acres), permitting the construction of a small addition on the north of the existing structure and an off-street parking lot accommodating 11 cars. The original building includes 11,294 square feet on two levels. It will be increased to 12,854 square feet by a two-storey addition. The new construction will provide handicapped access to the library through its on-grade entry from the parking area and Broad Street, an elevator, and it will accommodate the toilet facilities for the public. Meeting facilities will be housed at the lower level; the circulation desk, library collections, public use computers, and a small meeting room will be located on the main level. A significant portion of the project will involve the restoration of much of the woodwork, shelving, and interior features to return this architectural gem to its original splendor. |
 Pine Hills Branch
The existing branch library will be renovated and expanded through the addition of the second floor of the building, presently leased to office tenants. The existing site includes 33,874 square feet (.78 acres). It will be modified to improve its visibility and appearance, and to provide 29 off-street parking spaces, including spots designated for handicapped parking. A new entry to the building will be created to provide more convenient access from the parking lot, and canopies will protect both entries. Within the building, the lobby will be enlarged to connect the two entries and will provide access to a large and a smaller meeting room, toilet rooms, and the expanded branch library, which will be nearly doubled in size to 19,105 square feet, plus basement. The first floor will house the circulation desk, staff work and break space, the adult collection and meeting rooms. The second floor, accessed via a new open stair or the existing elevator, will accommodate the young adult and children’s collections, plus the reference collection and public-use computers. A dedicated space for children’s programs is also provided.
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 Delaware Avenue Branch
The Chicorelli Funeral Home, at 331 Delaware Avenue, will be purchased and renovated to provide a new branch library to replace the existing, leased facility. The site of 49,900 square feet (1.15. acres) is roughly T-shaped. It is accessed from Delaware Avenue on the southeast and has an exit to Summit Avenue to the northwest. The building occupies the southerly part of the site, fronting on Delaware Avenue, with parking for 39 cars and green space to the north and east. A small storage structure to accommodate site maintenance equipment will be constructed adjacent to the parking lot. The existing structure totals 11,856 square feet, with 8,356 square feet on the first level, and 1,750 square feet on both the basement and second floor levels. The existing main entry and lobby will be retained, but will be reconfigured to permit after-hours use of a large meeting room and the toilets. An elevator will be installed to provide access to the second floor and basement. The second level will be used initially only for staff functions. There is sufficient extra space available to permit location of selected central library offices to this building if desired. The floor plan of the library is configured to take advantage of existing bearing walls down the center of the main part of the building. Staff functions are located within this area, with the collections located around the perimeter. The roof must be reconstructed to bring it into compliance with current building code; provisions will be made to include skylights to bring natural light into the interior of the library. Additional windows will be inserted into the exterior walls to improve views and access to the green spaces outside. Three small rooms for tutoring are provided. |
 John J. Bach Branch(formerly the New Scotland Branch)
A new branch library will be constructed on a site on the north side of New Scotland Avenue created through the purchase of a privately owned parcel at 455 New Scotland Avenue and part of the land associated with City Fire Department Engine 11. The resulting site includes 21,360 square feet (.49 acres). In the extensive community planning meetings that created the Branch Improvement Plan the Library clearly heard that this branch’s neighborhood residents wanted the new library branch to be part of the "walking community" that is an important feature of that part of the city. Given that need, the site options along the New Scotland corridor were limited. After an exhaustive process, the lot adjacent to the firehouse was the best choice for both the library and for the community. The architecture firm of Hom and Goldman (H+G) architects was selected to lead the design team to create the two new branch library buildings. Along with expertise of nationally known public library consultant, Nolan Lushington, who is working with APL on the BIP, H+G brings a great deal of experience designing public buildings (including libraries) in both urban and suburban environments. The designs for the building will include all of the program elements that were developed as part of the pre-referendum planning process. Including:
The building design for the John J. Bach Branch Library will be a single story building designed to provide the best possible library experience for the users. In response to the neighborhood’s concerns about green space, the building is designed to create a "library garden" in a large area in the back corner of the site and have the library building surround that garden with abundant glass so that from anywhere in the building users can see out into green space, see the beautiful old-growth black walnut trees that will be a centerpiece of the space, and feel connected with the outside. There will be large double doors that will allow library users, children's story times, etc. to use the garden as part of their library experience. In terms of the building's appearance, the architect's have designed a building the will proclaim the importance of the branch library to the neighborhood. It will be distinctive and have a contemporary feel, but there are definitely elements of the design that are sensitive to the surroundings. Much of the building will be sheathed in a brick that will be selected to compliment the brick of the historic firehouse next door. The scale of the building was designed to not overwhelm the other homes and buildings around the new |
Arbor Hill/West Hill Branch
A new branch library will be constructed on a site on the east side of Henry Johnson Boulevard, between First and Second Streets. The site includes 25,669 square feet ( .59 acres), nearly bisected by a dedicated city alley. The architecture firm of Hom and Goldman (H+G) architects was selected to lead the design team to create the two new branch library buildings. Along with expertise of nationally known public library consultant, Nolan Lushington, who is working with APL on the BIP, H+G brings a great deal of experience designing public buildings (including libraries) in both urban and suburban environments.
The building design for the Arbor Hill/West Hill Branch Library will be a single story building designed to provide the best possible library experience for the users. There will be a well-illuminated parking area with 8-10 spaces, which will be screened from the street by a landscaped accent wall. In response to the neighborhood’s concerns about green space, the building has been designed to incorporate green space inside the building. A large section of the interior wall that is part of both the projected adult reading area and the children’s library area will be a “green wall” with live plantings that will allow users to feel a connection to the outside while in the Library. In terms of the building's appearance, the architect's have designed a building that will proclaim the importance of the branch library to the neighborhood. It will be distinctive and have a contemporary feel with a large main reading room in the front of the building with a dramatic exposed bow-truss design that will be a signature feature of the building’s appearance. |
Share your views on this major project by sending an e-mail message to aplfacilities@uhls.lib.ny.us. |
