Saint Paul outlines progress on Hamline Midway construction, Hayden Heights and Riverview renovation plans; Friends campaign reaches $6.1M

At a Saint Paul Public Library Board meeting, deputy director Josh Schafer and project manager Marika Stalock updated the board on the Transforming Libraries capital program, progress at the Hamline Midway construction site and planned renovations at Hayden Heights and Riverview libraries.

Schafer and Stalock described Transforming Libraries as a community-informed initiative that includes a new Hamline Midway branch, major renovations at Hayden Heights and Riverview, upgrades to play-and-learn spaces across the system and creation of “tech-rich” spaces for meetings and virtual work. “We surveyed or got input from over 3,000 people through community surveys, focus groups, community meals,” Stalock said, summarizing outreach used to shape design priorities.

Construction status and schedule: Stalock reported that Hamline Midway’s footings and foundation are complete, geothermal drilling (about 500 feet) is finished and steel framing is underway. The project team expects the new Hamline Midway branch to open in late 2026 and said the design continues to be refined — the team recently added an extra “calm room.”

Funding and near-term work: staff said Congresswoman McCollum secured a federal earmark of $500,000 in 2024 to support Hayden Heights and Riverview projects; the library is submitting requests to the Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) to secure additional funds and complete environmental and historic reviews so projects will be “shovel ready” if city funding is approved. For Riverview, staff said they plan discrete early projects to spend the earmark while larger renovation planning continues.

Systemwide improvements: staff described a $2,000,000 program of play-and-learn upgrades to modernize family spaces and make them flexible and multigenerational, with Sun Ray Library the first site for deeper work and a demonstration space planned for 2026. Tech-rich upgrades — including improved meeting room soundproofing and private spaces for virtual meetings — are being piloted at Rice Street and Merriam Park libraries, with some work funded by the Shavlik Family Foundation.

Other facilities work includes an accessible entrance upgrade at Saint Anthony Park (the building was closed for summer work and expected to reopen August 18), energy-efficiency improvements and new building automation systems at the George Latimer Central Library, and safety upgrades such as sharps containers, fencing for crime-prevention-through-environmental-design, restroom vapor monitors and automated locking at feasible locations. Schafer said camera systems are under consultant review with recommended integration work expected in 2026.

Private fundraising: Beth Burns, president of the Friends of the Saint Paul Library, said the nonprofit’s capital campaign — part of a public-private effort to fund the Transforming Libraries vision — aims to raise $10,000,000 toward a $35,000,000 overall need. Burns reported the Friends have raised $6,100,000 so far and are in a quiet major-gifts phase, with two of the largest individual gifts in the organization’s history secured to date. “We have a really exciting mix of both individual contributors and foundations and corporations who are contributing,” Burns said.

Board members commended staff and the Friends for long-term effort and partnership. Council member Faratsky noted the decade-long timeline from early community engagement to opening, emphasizing the sustained public and staff commitment needed to complete these projects.

Staff said they will continue design and review work, pursue CIB funding and coordinate next steps with the Friends’ campaign and city budget processes.