The Metro Council cleared the way Wednesday for construction to begin on the new River Center Branch Library downtown, approving a $14.6 million bid to build the facility.
General contractor Buquet & LeBlanc submitted the winning low bid earlier this year, coming in $500,000 under the $15.1 million budgeted for construction. The total cost of the project—including design work, furnishings, and demolition of the old downtown branch—is estimated to be $19 million.
For advocates of the new River Center branch, which will be located on the site of the existing downtown library, Wednesday’s vote was a long time coming. The idea for a state-of-the-art downtown branch was first hatched in 2003, though it wasn’t until 2008 that plans began to take shape. Still, over the years the project was plagued with controversies surrounding the cost, design and need for a new facility.
As recently as January, some Metro Council members were again raising questions about whether a new River Center branch makes sense.
Though those questions have since been settled, library proponents were not taking anything for granted before Wednesday’s meeting. Now that construction can move forward, they’re breathing a sigh of relief.
“This has been an ongoing process for the last seven years, and it’s gone through a lot of things,” says Downtown Development District Executive Director Davis Rhorer. “But I am very pleased we have finally gotten here. This is a signature piece of architecture that will benefit the entire community.”
Before construction can begin on the new building, the existing River Center Branch must be demolished. The entire process is expected to take between 24 and 30 months.
—Stephanie Riegel
