June 9, 2026: Outside the building, concrete work is ongoing at the front entry. Structural slabs are anticipated soon. Chimney tuckpointing is complete. The storm connections at the street will be completed in the next few weeks.

Inside the building, electric rough-in and the wiring for the mechanical equipment continues in the lower level. The wall framing in the lower level is complete and drywall hanging has begun.

The Library has decided to add a kitchenette area to the larger meeting room on the lower level. The incremental additional cost is within the overall project budget, but the additional trenching and plumbing required will increase the project duration. To be conservative, the Library is planning for an additional 30 days of construction but feel that this change is important and worth the additional time.

At their June meeting, the Library Board of Trustees confirmed a change order for design modifications for unforeseen conditions related to the kitchenette area, including required water line replacements, ceiling drywall repair, and the sewer connection at the street.

The project remains on track to reopen in the late summer.

The recent wet weather has impacted the exterior progress. In addition, existing conditions at the connection location in street have stalled the installation of the storm system. Turner is working through the issues, and we are confident the overall timeline will be maintained.

At the April 15 Board of Trustees meeting, authorization was granted to the Library to modify the Avondale Branch's maintenance and renovation guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for Turner Construction for the design modifications necessary related to unforeseen conditions including required water line replacements, drywall repair of ceiling, and the sewer connection.

On the interior, work on the electrical installation continues and the complicated plumbing work is underway. The interior framing in the lower level is expected to start this month.

During their Feb. 10, 2026 meeting, the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library Board of Trustees approved a change order that modifies the branch's maintenance and renovation guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for the final design modifications for the front entry.

Week of Dec. 8: The complicated project is underway. As the demolishment continues, more unknown conditions are discovered which may result in additional costs. The Library expects to have a summary of items for the February Board meeting.

Construction at the site has begun.

In August, the guaranteed maximum price for the Avondale Branch maintenance and renovation project was approved at $6.5 million. The actual guaranteed maximum price was recently executed for $5,865,108, which is more in line with earlier estimates.

Week of Aug. 18: The temporary location at Living God Church is being prepared for library service and is expected to open once the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for the project is executed in late August or early September.

The bids for the project were received by Turner Construction on Aug. 5. The updated project budget with the GMP exceeds the original planned estimate by $1,350,000.

At the August 2025 meeting, the Library’s Board of Trustees approved the current GMP with the intent to execute an early release package to get the project started while the Library carefully review the bids with Turner and work with the architect to look for savings.

Week of June 9: After a thorough search, we have identified Living God Church at 434 Forest Avenue (8/10ths of mile from the branch) as a temporary space. We are working through the details and hope to move in later this summer.

The construction documents will be finalized soon and at that point Turner will bid out the project. We intend to have the GMP for approval at the August 2025 Board meeting, and work will begin shortly thereafter.

Week of April 16, 2025: The Library is exploring temporary space options that several local partners have
brought to us. We are continuing with the construction documents and plan to incorporate a flexible space to be used for the MakerSpace.

Week of March 27, 2025: The Library held a very well-attended community engagement session on March 27, 2025. During the session, the community expressed their strong need for a temporary space as well as an interest in having a MakerSpace. The community also weighed in on the direction for the new accessible
front entry.

Week of February 11, 2025: We have completed the conceptual planning and the architect is working on construction documents. In addition, we are completing the environmental testing. We are coordinating community engagement for later this winter with the intent to begin the project this summer.

At this time, we don’t have a viable temporary space and will continue to explore options as well as maintaining service at the branch during most of construction as we are able.

Week of August 12, 2024: We have continued to evaluate opportunities and explore design possibilities in Avondale. The architect and the construction manager are working on cost estimates for several options. We continue to search for a temporary space in the event we need to completely close the branch.

Week of June 10, 2024: We have continued to evaluate opportunities in Avondale. The architect will be presenting the Library with design options in mid-June. We continue to search for a temporary space in the event we need to completely close the branch during the project.

Week of April 8, 2024: The Library has been working with design professionals and other consultants to identify the scope of the maintenance required to adequately waterproof the building as well as maximize the interior space. A major obstacle to improvements continues to be the lack of onsite parking. We are working to outline all improvement options over the next few months. In addition, we are investigating potential temporary rental space to provide Library service during any possible building closure while the work is completed.