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Feasibility study: combining Bowmont Library and Children’s Museum would fit downtown building but needs roughly $16M in upgrades
Summary
Consultants found the downtown library building could house both the main library and an expanded children's museum with a new mezzanine and shared spaces, but estimated about $16 million in repairs and upgrades — including HVAC, roof, elevator stops and basement mitigation — would be required to meet current codes and program needs.
Bowmont — A consultant team presented a feasibility study that concludes the city’s downtown library building can accommodate a combined Bowmont Library and Children’s Museum, but major systems and life‑safety upgrades would be necessary.
Kamatsu Architecture consultants Michelle Landville and Amy Sibi presented a preferred schematic that dedicates roughly 11,600 sq ft to library functions, 12,100 sq ft to museum functions, and about 9,200 sq ft of shared space, with a new mezzanine raising total usable area to about 33,000 sq ft. Consultants said the layout relies on concessions from each entity and shared classrooms and circulation areas.
The project’s schematic cost estimate — prepared at a planning level, the consultants said — came in at about $16 million to bring the building to current standards and accommodate both programs. Major cost drivers are a full roof replacement, replacement of HVAC and electrical systems, extensive site work to address basement water intrusion, upgraded restrooms and plumbing to meet current code, and an elevator modification to add a mezzanine stop.
Library Commission Chair Dora Nisby told council she was not contacted by the feasibility study team and urged council to protect existing library services. Council members and consultants said the study’s scope was limited to the existing library building and did not include analysis of other sites; several councilmembers asked staff to consider alternate locations and to return with additional options.
Why it matters: The study offers a concrete, schematic path to co‑locate library services and the growing children’s museum but identifies large up‑front capital needs and code-required upgrades that would be required before occupancy.
What’s next: Staff will continue discussions with the museum and library boards, explore alternative sites, refine cost estimates in design, and consider funding approaches including grants and public‑private partnerships.
(Quotes and findings attributed to Kamatsu Architecture consultants Michelle Landville and Amy Sibi and to library stakeholders who spoke at the meeting.)
