The firm hired by the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County to create a plan for re-envisioning the Main Library and the Price Hill Branch has set dates for two community meetings to discuss the projects. Group 4 Architecture, Research + Planning, Inc. returns to Cincinnati Sept. 26–27 to hold meetings with staff and the general public. The exact time and location of those meetings is yet to be determined. Prior to these meetings Group 4 returns Sept. 11 at 4:30 p.m. to have a working session with the Library Board of Trustees.
Group 4 is based in San Francisco, California. Their body of work includes extensive work with the Dayton Metro (OH) Library, Multnomah County Library in Oregon, Johnson County (KS) Library, Jefferson County (CO) Public Library as well as libraries in Carlsbad, California and San Francisco, CA.
Representatives from Group 4 attended the Library Board of Trustees Meeting Tuesday, Aug. 14, to talk about how they are proceeding with the project. The firm was hired by the library earlier this month to help establish guiding principles and create a framework for the library’s facilities planning needs. The library and the Board of Trustees specifically choose Group 4 because of their commitment to community and staff engagement on projects of this type. Initial planning for these first projects at the Main Library and Price Hill Branch are expected to be complete by the end of 2018.
The Main Library construction project began in April. Carpeting and brick flooring on all three floors was replaced and the first-floor restrooms are in the process of being renovated. That work is scheduled to be completed in September.
The Price Hill Branch closed July 3 due to significant damage to the ceiling. The branch is temporarily relocated in the Price Hill Recreation Center. The Price Hill Branch was one of the branches in line for extensive renovations, including adding accessibility for people with disabilities, using funds from a 1-mill levy approved by Hamilton County voters this May. Price Hill is now the priority accessibility project due to the ceiling collapse.
