Evergreen
Community Celebrates Groundbreaking
Voter-Approved Bond Construction Project Moves
Forward on Schedule
January 15, 2005 -
Residents of the Evergreen community joined city and library
officials today in celebrating groundbreaking for the construction
of a 21,500 sq. ft. facility replacing the original 7,448 sq.
ft. library, which opened in 1976.
"This is a day that the Evergreen Community has been looking
forward to, the expansion of one of the busiest, most popular
libraries in the entire city,” stated Councilmember David
Cortese. The $212 million library branch bond measure, approved
by voters in November 2000, is enabling the City of San José
to provide new and better branch libraries in 20 neighborhoods
by the year 2010. More than half of the planned projects are now
at some stage of design, construction or completion.
"With this new facility, we can create a more pleasant environment,
while improving functionality to serve 21st century needs in this
growing neighborhood,” said San José Public Library
Assistant Director Ned Himmel.
The new library, which will be built on the original site at
2635 Aborn Road, will have the look and feel of an upscale bookstore.
Highlights will include an Internet Café, Community Living
Room with a fireplace, Technology Lab, Teen Space, Group and Quiet
Study Areas, and a Community Room that will accommodate 85 persons,
as well as significantly more space for seating, collections and
computers. Available parking will increase by more than 60%. Building
design by Studio Architects (San Francisco, CA), will be executed
by Hagensen Pacific Construction Company, Inc. (San José,
CA). Washington, DC artist, Larry Kirkland, will create public
art for the project. Total project cost is estimated at $10.2
million.
Onset of construction also marks the beginning of fundraising
efforts to furnish and stock the library for opening day, projected
to occur in mid-2006. Those interested in supporting this effort
may contact the San José Public Library Foundation at (408)
808-2174.
Following a brief ceremony, the audience dispersed to inscribe
“dream rocks,” which will later be incorporated into
the foundation of the library.
For more information, contact:
• Lorraine Oback, San José Public Library, at (408)
808-2176
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