This Saturday, July 15, the Seattle Public Library system will open the doors to the newest branch to join the string of libraries in the Seattle area: the Northgate Library.
The new library - along with a new community center and park area - will officially open with a plethora of activities for all to enjoy, including arts, crafts and various refreshments.
Located directly across from Northgate Mall, it was the previous site of the old Bon Tire company, as well as a parking lot, a liquor store and a veterinary's office.
Now, a 10,000-square-foot library, a 20,000-square-foot community center and a 1.67-acre park sit in its place, and the community couldn't be happier, according to Debra Westwood, the manager of the Northgate branch.
"We had a little library here before, for holds, and it was really busy. People really wanted to have their own library and are very excited for it to open," she said.
A unique library
The nearly $6.7 million library is the 18th project completed through the Libraries for All building program, a $196.4 million measure that was approved by voters in 1998 to improve the library system.
According to capital projects manager David Kunselman, the construction of the Northgate Library was "a long community process.
"The whole community took part in the construction of this library, community center and park, as far as how to build it and what they wanted to have here," Kunselman said.
Kunselman also calls the architecture of this library "very unique. The biggest challenge was trying to create a library that was so urban, seeing as it faces a busy street and is around a lot of retail shops and a mall," he said.
A giant window facing Fifth Avenue Northeast gives a view of the street and of the mall, and, as Kunselman said, the window will promote the library as "a retailer uses a window to promote their product."
The window also will provide the library with a lot of natural light, while also giving the people inside a chance to enjoy the outside, according to Kunselman.
"The window is pretty thick, so it will screen out the noise of the traffic, while also allowing people to view the outside," he said.
Along with the enormous window, another feature exists at Northgate that isn't in any other library: a flexible floor.
"Basically, the floor is made up of 2-by-2 [feet] concrete tiles that are raised 18 inches off the floor. Air ducts were installed in the floor to allow air to move around, and under the floor, all the wiring is in place," Kunselman said. "It makes it very easy to access the wiring if something were to go wrong."
Art work is also incorporated into the library's architecture and includes contemporary pieces from Northwest artists Dana Lynn Louis, Nikki McClure and Linda Wysong.
All were inspired by different com-munity elements, such as the relationships between human and nature, and Thorton Creek, the nearby watershed for the community.
A community resource
The library may have inspiration from the creek, but the park helps to maintain it.
Underneath the park sits a 160,969-gallon storm-water retention unit, which, according to Kunselman, collects all of the runoff from the surrounding areas and actually places it back in the creek.
"The retention unit will help to irrigate the community and surrounding areas for up to a year," Kunselman said. "It will help to conserve water and will help to maintain the watershed as well."
With the park helping the environment and the library helping the community, the new community center will provide aid in the community. Community-center coordinator Pati Maxwell is very excited to have such an establishment in the Northgate area.
"The Northgate area has never had a community center, and having something like this will give the community many opportunities to get involved," Maxwell said.
The 20,000-square-foot community center will include an exercise room and several game rooms, as well as a newly built gym for volleyball and basketball.
Monica Wort, the assistant coordinator for the programs at the center, anticipates having a variety of age groups at the center. "Various activities will be available - from dance classes, cooking classes, sports activities and art programs," she said.
Classes are available for children, adults and anyone in between.
Child care also will be provided at the center for parents who want to take a class, or who want to go shopping at the mall.
Defining the neighborhood
All those involved in the library, park and community center are anticipating large numbers on opening day and a continuing interest after.
"This area is defined by the shopping mall, but now residents have something else to define them," Westwood said. "We are very excited to be here for the community."
Stephanie Small is interning with the Herald-Outlook for the summer. She can be reached at needitor@nwlink. com.
[[In-content Ad]]
