Downtown Library Plans

[richyb83]

A MESSAGE FROM THE DDD

downtown library   cONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN! On Wednesday, the Metro Council approved the $14.6 million low bid for construction of the new Downtown Library at Town Square. A total of $19 million for the project was allocated and approved by the Metropolitan Council in 2010 and the bid by general contractor, Buquet & LeBlanc, came under the projected building cost of $15.1 million. Demolition of the existing building and construction of the new will begin later this summer. During the estimated construction time of 30 months, the Kress Building, at 447 Third Street, will serve as a temporary location for the library's current amenities and services; offering cataloged items and free computer and wi-fi access. The Downtown Library will be the centerpiece of North Boulevard Town Square & the Central Green - a place where our City's civic and cultural attractions come together. Designed by WHLC Architecture & Schwartz/Silver, a joint venture, the approximately 50,000 square foot new library will encompass four floors of dynamic spaces for students, families, and business professionals. New Library amenities below! Technology Large Markerspace outfitted with high tech equipment, Media Studios, Computer Commons & Laptop Bars Meeting Spaces Large meeting room open to the Rooftop Terrace, 3 conference rooms with video conferencing, Public Rooftop Terrace with sweeping views of Town Square, Old State Capitol, Shaw Center, & Mississippi River. Activity Spaces Children's Tech Area, Story Time Room, Teen Activity Room with Workshops, Classes, Video Gaming, Adult Business Pods, & Grants Research Center Check out the recently released images and the Library calendar below.

Library IMages >> Library calendar >>

[richyb83]

A MESSAGE FROM THE DDD

add to calendar >> Images >>

[richyb83]

Groundwork for the downtown Library behind Orange barrier at North Boulevard Town Square

Edited February 28, 2017 by richyb83

[richyb83]

Courtesy DDD

Pardon the distortion...BR doesn't look so Vertically Challenged with the elongated buildings   probably better for me to go take some pics in coming weeks/months

Edited April 7, 2017 by richyb83

[dan326]

It's certainly going up fast.

[cajun]

3 minutes ago, dan326 said:

It's certainly going up fast.

It will look like it is under construction even after its done.

[dan326]

4 hours ago, cajun said:

It will look like it is under construction even after its done.

Naw see Cajun, why you had to go there. I was just typing here, minding my own business, trying to be good and everything. LOL! But yh, I kept hoping an act of divine intervention would intercede and a new design would be chosen but... it looks like we're stuck with the papercraft model design.

[richyb83]

Looking forward seeing the finished product...have a feeling it could actually look better than renderings?  Compliment to nearby Shaw Center for the Arts so many disliked with it's out-the-box-style of architecture

Guess they morphed a few idea's together?? Some Interesting library observations from the recent past

Seattle's Central Library

San Diego Main Library...hmmm...giant egg busting the top open.....

One in Denmark..meh?

Salt Lake City has a cool looking main library

Memphis Central Library...daytime pics not as nice

Hideous in Atlanta.........

 

 

21 hours ago, richyb83 said:

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 10, 2017 by richyb83

[cajun]

On 4/9/2017 at 1:19 AM, richyb83 said:

Looking forward seeing the finished product...have a feeling it could actually look better than renderings? 

I don't see how it could look much worse.  

Edited April 10, 2017 by cajun

[cajun]

On 4/7/2017 at 7:43 PM, dan326 said:

Naw see Cajun, why you had to go there. I was just typing here, minding my own business, trying to be good and everything. LOL! But yh, I kept hoping an act of divine intervention would intercede and a new design would be chosen but... it looks like we're stuck with the papercraft model design.

Well, the Library has a dedicated tax.  

So they can just pay out the nose and change order this project to death.  Maybe make it look more like the Goodwood or Carver libraries in town.

[richyb83]

A MESSAGE FROM THE DDD

TOPPING OUT CEREMONY DOWNTOWN LIBRARY Please join the Library Board of Control and Mayor-President Broome at North Boulevard Town Square on Thursday, July 6 at 11:30 am for the TOPPING OUT ceremony (a ceremony to celebrate a buildings final beam being placed) for the new Downtown Library. Along with a tree being hoisted to the top of the structure, the event will have live music, jambalaya & refreshments, interactive activities and a special announcement from the Library Board!

add to calendar >> IMAGES >>

[dan326]

It's really big so that's good. Just hope they don't clad it with corrugated metal àl la Red Stick Lofts.

[cajun]

On 7/4/2017 at 3:56 PM, dan326 said:

It's really big so that's good. Just hope they don't clad it with corrugated metal àl la Red Stick Lofts.

It's going to be so ugly, you'll want to cover it with corrugated metal so you don't have to look at it.  

[Antrell Williams]

Lmao

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[richyb83]

1 hour ago, richyb83 said:

 

Downtown Library under construction

I'm as cynical  as anybody at times when it comes to BR & new development...but gonna reserve judgement til this is completed

Edited August 7, 2017 by richyb83

[richyb83]

Construction on the Downtown Library at North Boulevard Town Square

Pardon the lighting  .... the Clouds dulled the scene at bit

 

[dan326]

Even though the design wouldn't have been my choice I am excited that we'll have a new public facility downtown.

[richyb83]

I'm the minority here...but do really like the look of the New Downtown Library coming to fruition

 

View from the West

 

Edited April 5, 2018 by richyb83

[Antrell Williams]

The trip back home will be an interesting one. Bunch of new developments to see.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

[dan326]

I agree, that it looks much better in person than in the rendering. At any rate it's not going anywhere so I might as well get used to it  . I'm sure once they finish the lawn to the side and add a little landscaping it'll look really nice.

Edited April 6, 2018 by dan326

[richyb83]

This is not good....Closures after Library stability worries

http://www.wafb.com/story/37990410/stability-issues-with-new-library-under-construction-prompts-evacuations-street-closures

This pic shows the part of the building where crews are focused. It’s where the beam meets the wall in the top right corner of the structure. (Source: City of Baton Rouge)

Edited April 19, 2018 by richyb83

[richyb83]

At least this is good news....

Inspectors didn't see more movement at downtown Baton Rouge library, city says; full report coming today

http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/article_bb22c61a-437d-11e8-b773-5348b2aba743.html

[dan326]

Downtown library design flaw to take 8 months, $1.9M to repair

  

Repairing the under construction downtown River Center branch library—which has been on hold for months—will take an estimated eight months and cost some $1.9 million, according to documents provided to the city parish Wednesday by its contractor on the project, Buquet & LeBlanc.

Work came to a standstill on the $19 million library in mid-April, when contractors noticed a faulty weld that had compromised the building’s signature cantilever overlooking North Boulevard’s Town Square. The problem was attributed to a design flaw, but engineers, architects and consultants studying the problem have been tight-lipped about the specific causes.

Broome’s administration has said taxpayers will not be saddled with the cost overruns that will result from the construction delays and repair.

https://www.businessreport.com/article/downtown-library-design-flaw-take-8-months-1-9-million-repair

[greg225]

3 hours ago, dan326 said:

Downtown library design flaw to take 8 months, $1.9M to repair

  

Repairing the under construction downtown River Center branch library—which has been on hold for months—will take an estimated eight months and cost some $1.9 million, according to documents provided to the city parish Wednesday by its contractor on the project, Buquet & LeBlanc.

Work came to a standstill on the $19 million library in mid-April, when contractors noticed a faulty weld that had compromised the building’s signature cantilever overlooking North Boulevard’s Town Square. The problem was attributed to a design flaw, but engineers, architects and consultants studying the problem have been tight-lipped about the specific causes.

Broome’s administration has said taxpayers will not be saddled with the cost overruns that will result from the construction delays and repair.

https://www.businessreport.com/article/downtown-library-design-flaw-take-8-months-1-9-million-repair

Should be done for free 

[richyb83]

Time to get this new Downtown Library finished!  What a mess it has been...

Broome asks for $2.7M to complete downtown Baton Rouge library amid pending lawsuit

https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/article_d2dc0e8e-3548-11e9-826f-03a084f86207.html

Edited February 22, 2019 by richyb83