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 current service goals. He said a new single‑story building large enough to match those program goals would be more expensive and, because of site setbacks and parking constraints on the potential new parcel, likely smaller than the space the county can preserve by remodeling the existing building.

The presentation reviewed geotechnical and code issues. Smith said the library was built circa 1968 and is “lightly reinforced masonry.” He explained that triggers in the International Existing Building Code — for example, a change of use or modifying more than 10% of the structure — would require compliance with the new‑building standards. Absent those triggers, a remodel may be designed to meet life‑safety seismic objectives without being treated as an equivalent of new construction. Smith said the design team plans to “make most of the seismic upgrades that are recommended,” and that the retrofit would aim for life‑safety performance comparable to modern buildings, not the higher “functional recovery” standard that would require the building to reopen as an emergency shelter within 24–48 hours.

Commissioners and staff discussed operational impacts during construction. Library staff told the commission they plan to seek temporary off‑site space for core services while the remodel proceeds; staff estimated a temporary location of roughly 5,000–8,000 square feet would cost about $500,000 over the likely 1–2 year downtime. The county expects to issue an RFP for construction services using a construction‑manager/general‑contractor (CM/GC) approach, get aggressive market pricing from contractors, then refine the design to stay within budget.

Board members who attended said the remodel preserves more usable space for future program needs, including larger children’s and teen areas, meeting rooms and flexible public space. The architect team highlighted opportunities to retain mature landscaping and site features while addressing known building problems — air distribution, asbestos, aging plumbing (including recent sewer backups) and insulation — and to reconfigure interior layouts to reduce operational inefficiencies (for example, consolidating heavy adult stacks upstairs and creating expanded youth spaces).

Staff set an initial target of beginning construction in January (the design team noted the start could range from January to March depending on final estimates) and said the remodel will likely take about a year once it begins, though they cautioned that unknowns in remodel work can extend schedules. When asked about releasing design details, staff said they will hold public design review until a stable set of drawings is developed and will continue coordination with Bountiful City and the library board.

The presentation and discussion were framed as an informational update; commissioners were asked to receive the report and allow staff to proceed with contractor selection and continued design work.

Ending: Staff said they will return with contractor pricing and updated schedules, continue community outreach through library board meetings and coordinate with Bountiful City on site and temporary service options.