Link to LIVE Video of the Renovation Project

Temporary Location:

During the renovation, the library is open at a temporary location: 1512 Duane Street on the corner of 15th and Duane, kitty corner from the Blue Scorcher Bakery (where your library card gets you 25% off a loaf of their bread!). There is no book drop; there are two 15-minute parking spaces in front of the door for patrons who just need to drop off or pick up materials. Please note: there is no ADA parking at the temporary location. Please call 503-325-7323 if you need accommodations for access. 

Talk of Our Towns - December 5, 2024
Talk of Our Towns host Donna Quinn is joined by Suzanne Harold, the Astoria Public Library Director, to discuss updates for the ongoing building renovation and events being held in the temporary location for this historical local third space. 

Weekly Updates:

Renovation work started the week of September 15 and is expected to take 12 months.

Week 13 (December 13, 2024) - Lots of rebar installation as we prepare for concrete placement next week. Installation of sprinkler system has begun and crews continue to "dewater" the elevator pit. Great progress this week!

Setting up to manage the water in the elevator pit is a muddy process

Installing Bentonite and rebar in the elevator shaft - concrete installation starts next week!

The humble beginnings of the grand staircase to the basement.

Weeks 11-12 (December 6, 2024) - During the week of Thanksgiving and the week after, the sprinkler, mechanical, electrical and plumbing subcontractors arrived and began work. Non-compactable soils were removed from the basement and feeder lines for the electrical service installed. The most visible change is the installation of parapets along the roof edge.

Roof parapet framing is in progress. The princess gets her tiara!

Removal of non-compacting soils from the basement.

Installation of feeder line conduits in progress. These will later be encased in concrete.

Week 10 (November 22, 2024) - Battling the elements: ground water in the elevator pit, storm surges, downpours, lightning and strong winds! 

Tough excavation down to the hand digging standing water at about 3 feet below floor level; crews excavated to 8 feet

The Library's existing power service, located beneath the street and sidewalk in the chair wall system. Happily scheduled for replacement! 

Sanitary pipes in basement restrooms are ready for inspection

Week 9 (November 15, 2024) - Demolition work wrapped up and we've started rebuilding!

 
Temporary bracing installed for wide-flange beams during steel erection.

Sanitary lines underground in progress at basement.

Roof parapet and HVAC curb materials arrive in anticipation of framing for next week.

Week 8 (November 8, 2024) - Opened the basement floor for the elevator pit; removed and replaced compromised roof pan deck.

Saw cutting and breaking up the concrete at the basement level

Removal of compromised pan deck at roof elevation and replacement in progress.

Excavation and haul off soils in preparation for the elevator pit and underground trenching

Week 7 (November 1, 2024) - Precast panels on Duane St are gone. Mezzanine level has been removed. Getting ready to install steel on the lower roof and 10th Street entrance.

Removed the two center precast panels along Duane St.

Opening for the grand stairway in the Reading Room cleared of debris and ready for the steel package 

Crews are Installing all new HVAC units! 

Week 6 (October 24, 2024) - Crews transition from demolition and salvage to build back and construction.

Sidewalk and south lane of Duane Street closed for work on north wall

Installation of diagonal bracing

Layout completed for reading room stairway and egress stair openings

Week 5 (October 18, 2024) - This week focused on the 10th St entrance and preparing for future work on Duane St.

Hole for the elevator cut into the first floor

Existing duct work removal

Site is tidied up and ready for the next week

Week 4 (October 11, 2024) - Demolition work is well under way. Temporary power installed. Precast panels on 10th Street removed. Roof work continues.

Central concrete panels on 10th Street removed

Demolition of 10th Street in progress

Ah, so that's why the roof was leaking in the Staff Room

Week 3 (October 4, 2024) - Abatement of hazardous material and salvage wraps up, and demolition begins.

The mezzanine level is gone - coming soon, a fully accessible library!

Roof materials and fall protection system on site and ready for next week

TrueLook Camera installed - live camera feed of the construction!

Week 2 (September 27, 2024) - Abatement and salvage work continues. Plans for roof replacement and electrical work coming together.

Clean up and water removal after this week's rain

Spreading tarp on the roof to keep rain out of the building during abatement

Abatement crews remove asbestos in the basement

Week 1 (September 20, 2024) - And we're off! Abatement started, along with salvage efforts. Construction scheduled to start on September 30, after abatement concludes.

Removing ceiling tiles and luminaries for storage

Maple cabinets set aside to be used in the renovated library 

Holes are covered and marked in preparation for next week

Public Engagement

Floorplans and Drawings - August 2024

Library Floorplans
Front Entry - Circulation Desk
Children's Area
Main Reading Room
Stairs to Basement

Community Presentation, March. 7, 2024

Community Presentation, March 7, 2024 – Presentation Slides

Community Presentation, Nov. 29, 2023 – Presentation Slides

Community Presentation, Sept. 13, 2023 

Thank you, Astoria!

In November 2022, Astoria voters approved an $8 million bond measure for a full renovation of the library.

The Astoria Public Library will be renovated and expand into the basement, resulting in 18,000 square feet of space, while keeping the historic Ebba Wicks Brown mid-century building intact.

New features:

•          100%  accessible building
•          Expanded children’s space
•          Dedicated teen space
•          Updated technology
•          Updated systems (electricity, plumbing, HVAC, roof)

In Summer 2023, we will begin a community outreach process to review the 2018 concept plan for the renovation. This process will allow us to fine-tune the plans and ensure that it meets our current goals and priorities. The work will be done with the help of the Astoria Public Library Renovation Ad Hoc Committee.

Building Project History
For many years, the City Council has declared a goal to create a 21st-century library in Astoria, either through new construction or renovation of the existing building. The current library building opened in 1967 and has not been significantly updated since. The building is aging and requires basic improvements to the plumbing, electrical, lighting, and heating/cooling systems. Additionally, the roof, which has been patched over the years, needs to be replaced and the flooring should be renewed.

In 2013, the Council engaged the services of library consultant Ruth Metz to conduct a needs assessment study. The study, which received input from several hundred Astoria residents, identified the following priorities:

•          More space dedicated to children, providing a place to engage in activities that develop language and literacy skills
•          Dedicated zones for children and teens, plus small and large meeting room spaces
•          Updated technology
•          More natural light
•          Spaces and activities that bring people together.   

In 2016 the Council voted 3-2 against building a new library in Heritage Square as part of a mixed-use project, citing cost concerns. The Council next looked at expanding into the old Waldorf Hotel, which shares a wall with the library. Preservationists spoke against the proposal and the Council decided not to move forward with this course of action. 

In 2017, the City contracted with David Wark, principal architect with Hennebery Eddy, to create conceptual plans for renovating the existing library building, using the Metz study as a starting point. He presented his plans to the Council in July 2018. The plans shed new light on all of the possibilities and community programming that could be accomplished through a thoughtful renovation of the existing building. Especially attractive was the possibility of opening the buildings lower level and almost doubling the library’s public space.

In January 2022, the Council voted to make a final decision on the library by the end of the year. Depending on polling, the Council either would ask voters to consider approval of a bond measure for a full renovation, or would use cash on hand to remove the mezzanine and, to the extent possible, address basic items of deferred maintenance. 

Based on positive polling results, the Council, on June 20, 2022, voted to submit to the electors of the City the question of authorizing up to $8 million of General Obligation bonds to renovate the Astoria Public Library. The bond measure appeared on the November 2022 ballot and was overwhelmingly approved by nearly 70%. 

July 2018 Conceptual Plans