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St. Paul Library Board hears update on Transforming Libraries; Hamline Midway construction underway
Summary
Library staff told the St. Paul Library Board the multi-site Transforming Libraries project is proceeding with Hamline Midway demolition and construction activity starting, while overall costs have risen and funding gaps remain for Hayden Heights and Riverview.
The St. Paul Library Board received an update on the Transforming Libraries capital program that covers three locations — Hamline Midway, Hayden Heights and Riverview — and on systemwide investments in technology-rich and "play and learn" spaces.
The update emphasized that construction on the Hamline Midway Library is underway after a court ruling cleared demolition; staff said bids are open and construction is expected to take about 16 to 18 months once it begins. Library Director Josh Hartman and Special Projects and Initiatives Manager Marika Salak told the board that overall project costs have increased since initial 2022 estimates and that the library and its partners are pursuing grants, earmarks and private fundraising to close remaining gaps.
"We are immensely grateful for the work that you all did in securing further funding for our transforming libraries project through the budget process," Director Josh Hartman told the board, adding that that public funding and partnerships were “critical to our success on all three of these projects.”
Why it matters: the projects aim to replace or significantly renovate aging facilities and to add technology and family-focused spaces intended to increase access and safety in…
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