Pierce County Library System presents new Sumner library design; city extends lease on old building

Pierce County Library System Executive Director Gretchen Casarotti updated the Sumner City Council at its Sept. 22 study session on the completed design for a new Sumner library and said the city’s mayor has extended the lease on the existing library property for three years to maintain operations while construction proceeds.

Casarotti said Johnston Architects completed the design phase and that the building plan includes a dedicated sensory room for neurodiverse patrons, expanded teen and youth areas, a children’s indoor and outdoor active-play area funded in part by grants, and a planned pursuit of LEED Silver certification. “We are very excited about, embracing both play as a learning modality,” Casarotti said of the children’s features, and she described a prominent Main Street entrance intended to encourage walking and biking from the nearby high school.

The project schedule and cost estimates were adjusted after unexpected site conditions, Casarotti said. She told council engineers discovered methane gas emissions in site soils, requiring design changes and a preload process to stabilize the site before construction; that issue increased both costs and the project timeline. Casarotti estimated construction will take “18 to 24 months” once a contractor is selected and the required preload time is known, and she invited council to a groundbreaking scheduled Oct. 2 at 1 p.m.

On the city-owned, existing library building, City Administrator Jason Wilson briefed council on a short-term lease amendment. He said the prior lease arrangement — executed after a 2021 change in ownership of the property where the city owns the land and previously had split ownership of the building — expired Sept. 12, 2025, and the mayor entered into a three-year extension that will run to September 2028. Under the amendment, Wilson said, the parties reallocated maintenance responsibilities: for “significant” repairs the parties will confer when a repair is over $75,000; other routine repairs will generally be the library’s responsibility up to stated thresholds. Wilson also reminded council that the 2020 facility assessment identified the building as near the end of its useful life and that the city is not investing in major renovations for that structure.

Council members asked several operational questions during the presentation. Council member Andy raised concerns that a child had found material he described as uncomfortable; Casarotti replied that the library follows established selection and reconsideration policies, offers parental guides and staff support, and that she would follow up with the council member about that family’s experience. Council member Kenna asked about play-area fencing, and Casarotti and Wilson said the design includes an approximate eight-foot perimeter fence and landscaping buffers to limit noise and provide separation from adjacent residences.

No formal council action was taken at the study session; Wilson said the lease amendment will appear on the Oct. 6 consent agenda for council consideration and that staff will provide the council with the original 2021 lease text on request.

The city and library staff also said they will prepare contractor RFPs and resume public communications as construction procurement proceeds.