Date of Completion: 2003

Building Area:
15,227 gross square feet

Contractor:
Newt & Butch Roofing and Sheet Metal, Inc.
Bob Johns, FASLA, Landscape Architecture

The original RFP called for demolishing and replacing the original Erna Fergusson Library. We proposed saving the steel frame and roof deck, allowing approximately $300,000 in structural savings to be spent on higher quality materials. The new design almost doubled the size of the original building and changed the location of the front door from San Mateo Blvd. to face the Palo Duro Senior Center, providing better pedestrian access for both facilities. The tower helps patrons locate the library on the busy street.

The new space has high ceilings and clerestories to provide natural lighting to the new volumes. Triangular light monitors were added to the original low ceiling space to bring in more daylight there. We also selected furniture and library equipment. We participated in the selection of sculptor, Pete Beeman, for the 1% for Art piece, “Alphabet Soup.”