Davis County staff recommend remodeling Bountiful Branch Library; board and architects cite cost, site and seismic factors

Davis County commissioners heard an update July 22 on initial design selections for the Bountiful Branch Library and were told the Davis County Library Board has moved to remodel the existing building rather than build a smaller new facility.

The discussion focused on three issues: cost and program space, site constraints and seismic upgrades. Architect Trent Smith said a 2021 feasibility study estimated a full replacement at roughly $10 million and a full renovation at roughly $9 million, and that his recent concept work shows a remodel would better preserve program space while meeting the county’s budget constraints. County staff said they have $6,000,000 earmarked for construction through a bond and plan to apply those funds toward debt service for the project.

Smith, who led the architect team, told the commission the existing library is about 24,500 square feet across two stories and that his firm’s programming work with library staff shows they would need roughly a 17,500–18,000 square foot single‑story floor plate to meet…