Category Archives: Construction Update

Cedar Rapids Public Library Seeks Submissions for Public Art

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The Cedar Rapids Public Library Public Art Task Force is seeking qualifications from artists for two projects associated with the new downtown library. Opportunities exist for artists to create a sculpture for the Urban Plaza, as well as a southern exterior art installation.

Interested artists should submit their qualifications by February 29, 2012 through CAFÉ™, a free online interactive system.

To view project descriptions, budgets, and details about how to apply for these opportunities, please visit www.callforentry.org, click on “Call Listings,” scroll down to “Cedar Rapids Public Library Public Art Commissions,” and select “View More Info.” Interested artists can click on “Apply for this Call” to create a free account and submit their application.

For more information on the Public Art Task Force and the two art commissions, contact Amber Mussman at (319) 739-0404 or mussmana@crlibrary.org.

Recycling and Reusing a Major Focus of New Library Site Preparation

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Demolition of the former TrueNorth building will soon be underway on the site located on the 400 block of 4th Avenue SE in preparation for the construction of the new Cedar Rapids Public Library.

Crews are currently thoughtfully selecting items to be salvaged and recycled. In the next three to five weeks, the building will be systematically taken apart.

“They are taking all of the doors, most of the carpeting and decorative wood trip to resell in the Habitat for Humanity Restore,” said Bob Pasicznyuk, Library Director. “Other items, such as 100% of the glass from the building, are going to the Iowa Waste Exchange who is assisting in finding homes and alternate uses.”

The new library project team has been working towards the goal of a Platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

“It has been a goal to recycle at least 90% of the building,” said Bruce Hamous, project manager for OPN Architects. “We believe we will be able to surpass that goal and recycle more than 94% of the building.”

The new library is anticipated to open in summer 2013. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held in March 2012. The community will be encouraged to attend and share in the celebration.

For more information on the Cedar Rapids Public Library, visit www.crlibrary.org or call (319) 398-5123.

Many thanks to the partners who are working diligently to make this an incredibly sustainable project:

  • Library Board of Trustees
  • OPN Architects
  • Ryan Companies
  • The City of Cedar Rapids
  • Knutson Construction
  • Rathje Construction
  • Habitat for Humanity ReStore
  • Iowa Waste Exchange

Cedar Rapids Public Library Enters Next Phase of Library Project

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The next step in the new library project is now underway. Sections of fence are slated to go this week around the new library’s site, located at 421 4thAvenue SE.

Dusk shot Urban Plaza side

Dusk shot Urban Plaza side

“We are very excited to start the next phase of this project,” said Bob Pasicznyuk, the library’s director. “We’re going to have a library that people will treasure for generations.”

Before demolition can begin, everything that can be recycled from inside the former TrueNorth building  will be removed from the site. Recycling and re-purposing materials earns the library project points towards the goal of platinum certification in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. This means everything from doors to toilets to electrical fixtures will be recycled, with the goal to keep 90 percent of the materiel from the former TrueNorth building out of the landfill.

Demolition is anticipated to begin after the first of the year.

The library will host a community celebration in March to mark the beginning of the next phase of construction.

The new library will open completely debt free. Federal disaster dollars, a state I-JOBS grant and private donations are paying most of the cost of the new library with the help of $4 million in revenue from the city’s local-option sales tax. No revenue from city property taxes is being used.

The new library is expected to open in June 2013.

Construction Bids for new Cedar Rapids Public Library Come in Under Budget

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Bids for the construction of the Cedar Rapids Public Library were read today at City Hall and came in under the estimated budget amount of $24.65 million.

“The Library is encouraged that a year and a half’s hard work by the design team, Board of Trustees and citizens has yielded a fiscally sound and practical library,” said Library Director Bob Pasicznyuk. “In the next weeks, the Library’s Board of Trustees will validate bids, weigh the merit of project alternates, and move the community forward to restored, state of the art libraries that will carry out our mission for literacy and lifelong learning.”

Demolition for the new downtown library, located on the 400 block of 4th Avenue SE, is scheduled to begin in December 2011. The Library is anticipated to open summer 2013.

For more information on the Cedar Rapids Public Library, call (319) 398-5123 or visit www.crlibrary.org.

Cedar Rapids Public Library Unveils First Renderings of New Building

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CRPL Design

This is the design of the new Cedar Rapids Public Library. Images courtesy of OPN Architects.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – January 6, 2011 – The first renderings of the new Cedar Rapids Public Library were approved by the Board of Trustees on January 6 during their regularly scheduled meeting. The two images reflect the design of the Library from the front, facing Greene Square Park; one during the day and one at night.

“We are glad to have the opportunity to present these images to our Board of Trustees and to share them with the entire community,” said Bob Pasicznyuk, Library Director. “We are building a state-of-the-art library that will serve this community for years to come. This is another step towards that goal.”

The Library building will cost approximately $25 million. The total project cost is approximately $49 million, including land acquisition and preparation, building contents (books, technology, furniture, etc), professional services, public art, and a contingency fund.

The Library design team includes OPN Architects, Ryan Construction, and members of the Board of Trustees. They meet with the Building Committee of the Board of Trustees once a month to update them on their progress.

The project is expected to be complete in summer 2013.

 

CRPL Night

The building is transparent and gives off a glow during the evening hours. Image courtesy of OPN Architects.

Cedar Rapids Library to Use Sinclair Smokestack Bricks in New Library

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The Cedar Rapids Public Library has received four pallets of bricks from the historic Sinclair smokestack to be incorporated into the new downtown library.

“We have a strong desire to build a library that reflects the history and values of this community,” said Library Director Bob Pasicznyuk. “Taking pieces of history and integrating them in functional ways in our new building is one way in which we are honoring the past while creating a civic space designed for the future.”

Demolition on the Sinclair smokestack, located at 1600 Third St. SE, began in July. The bricks were tested by Family Environmental and declared safe to use in the new library.

D.W. Zinser, the Walford-based contractor hired to do the demolition, selected the best bricks, packed the pallets, and delivered them to the Ryan Companies US, Inc. yard, all at no cost. They will stay there until construction begins on the new library.

Construction on the new downtown library is expected to begin summer 2011 with a completion date of late 2012.

What matters to you

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The world is full of different people. Each of us have things that are priorities in our lives, and they are as varied as we are. This is true when you think of what a library means to you, too.

A library is a very personal thing to a lot of people. It is where we go to get our books, cd’s, dvd’s; where we take computer classes or get online; it’s where we meet our neighbors and read to our children. What each of us need or want from our library is different, and we would love to hear what matters to you. Share with us the thing you are most hoping for in the new library. Tell us what you’ve been missing the most since June 13, 2008.

While we recognize the library can’t be everything to everyone, we also believe that the best libraries are reflections of their communities. Help us gather knowledge in our quest to make this library the best library for this community.

Library Forums

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The Cedar Rapids Public Library will host two public forums in June to discuss the building process for the new Library. Community members with an interest in learning about the design and building process of the new downtown library are invited to attend.

Wednesday, June 16, Noon – 1:00 p.m.

at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art

410 Third Avenue SE

 -or-

Thursday, June 17, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Next to the Cedar Rapids Public Library West

Westdale Mall, 2600 Edgewood Road SW

The forums will include a panel discussion with the Library Director; a representative from OPN Architects, the architecture firm working on design; and a representative from Ryan Companies, Inc., the construction management firm for this project.

The panel will give a brief explanation of the process used to design and build the new library facility, the budget and space allocation of the building. The public will then have an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.

Connect with us

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The mission of the Cedar Rapids Public Library is to provide a complete spectrum of information to the community through a variety of materials, appropriate technology and a well-trained staff. This blog is an opportunity for us to engage with the community on the development and construction of the new library. We welcome your input and your feedback.