Main Library Project

Main

Library Project

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Status: Construction in Progress
Estimated Completion Date: 2024
Improvement Category: Multiple Improvements
Planning Zone: Central
Estimated Investment: $39.8 million

New Roof - North Building: $1.2 million
Energy Retrofit - South Building: $4.8 million
South Building Skylight and Elevator Replacement: $3.1 million
North Plaza Redesign, South Plaza Redesign and Interior Refresh: $30.7 million

Architect: Group 4 Architecture & Champlin Architecture
Construction Manager at Risk: Turner Construction

The Downtown Main Library's North Building remains open for library service during construction on the South Building. Learn where to find services and materials during construction.

Interested in more details? Read the project updates.

At 540,000 square feet, the Downtown Main Library is the Library's flagship location, accounting for about half of the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library's public space. In December 2017, the Library Board of Trustees confirmed the desire to retain the Downtown Main Library's North Building, and to have both buildings of the Downtown Main Library re-envisioned to better meet customer needs. Improvement information is contained in the Central Planning Zone Facility Master Plan Document.

The Main Library's South Building is closed for the duration of the project. Visit the Downtown Main Library's North Building for materials and services.

Main Library Plaza Redesign and Interior Refresh

Designed by Group 4 Architecture + Champlin Architecture, the Downtown Main Library renovation injects the cultural and geographic landscapes of Cincinnati and Hamilton County into the existing mid-century modern buildings.

The plaza walls in both the South and North Plazas have been removed and the South Plaza has been lowered to street level to create a safer and more welcoming Vine St. entrance.
Portions of the interior of the library will receive a light renovation.
The new, at-grade South Plaza and large glass curtain wall will welcome library users to the revitalized atrium. The design will express the wonderful range of library spaces within. Upon entering the atrium, an inviting and warm social stair will knit together the Walnut Street and Vine Street entrances while providing a range of seating opportunities for individuals, small groups, and large events. Inspired by the hills of Cincinnati, this welcoming design provides new amenities and gathering spaces, as well as an intuitive connection to the upper floors of the library, accessed through a new stair extending from the second floor upwards.

Skylight and Elevator Replacement

In 2021, crews replaced the South Building atrium skylight. Throughout 2022, crews replaced several elevators throughout the Downtown Main Library.

Energy Retrofit and Roof Replacement

The heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) and electrical systems in the South Building - built in the 1950s - were updated in 2020. This project included the replacement of original boilers with three new boilers, upgrades to the cooling system, adding 14 new air handlers, the addition of a fire suppression system, and improvements to the electrical system. The roof of the North Building was replaced in 2019. The South Building roof was replaced recently, providing a completely updated roofing system for the entire 540,000 square foot building.

Take a closer look at the Energy Retrofit project from start to finish through August, opens a new window, September, opens a new window, October, opens a new window, November, opens a new window, and December, opens a new window 2019 update videos.

Construction Gallery

South Vine Street Plaza Concept - Plans Not Final

Exterior Concept - Plans Not Final

Downtown Main Library Meeting Room Concept - Plans Not Final

South Building Entrance Concept - Plans Not Final

South Building Atrium Concept - Plans Not Final

Reopened South Plaza - Downtown Main Library

Amelia Valerio Weinberg Memorial Sculpture in the Reopened South Plaza

October 2023 Construction Progress - Downtown Main Library

September 2023 Construction Progress - Downtown Main Library

August 2023 Construction Progress - Downtown Main Library

July 2023 Construction Progress - Downtown Main Library

June 2023 Construction Progress - Downtown Main Library

May 2023 Construction Progress - Downtown Main Library

April 2023 Construction Progress - Downtown Main Library

March 2023 Construction Progress - Downtown Main Library

February 2023 Construction Progress - Downtown Main Library

January 2023 Construction Progress - Downtown Main Library

December 2022 Construction Progress - Downtown Main Library

December 2023 Construction Progress - Downtown Main Library

December 2022 Construction Progress - Downtown Main Library

November 2022 Construction Progress - Downtown Main Library

October 2022 Construction Progress - Downtown Main Library

September 2022 Construction Progress - Downtown Main Library

September 2022 Construction Progress Downtown Main Library

September 2022 Construction Progress - Downtown Main Library

June 2023 Construction Progress - Downtown Main Library

September 2022 Construction Progress - Downtown Main Library

August 2022 Construction Progress - Downtown Main Library

July 2022 Construction Progress - Downtown Main Library

July 2022 Construction Progress - Downtown Main Library Library

June 2022 Construction Progress - Downtown Main Library Library

April 2022 South Building Construction Progress

April 2022 Skylight Construction Progress

April 2022 North Plaza Construction Progress

March 2022 Skylight Construction Progress

March 2022 North Plaza Construction Progress

January 2022 Skylight Construction Progress

January 2022 North Plaza Construction Progress

January 2022 South Building Skylight Progress

December 2021 - North Plaza Construction Progress

December 2021 - Skylight Glazing Construction Progress

December 2021 - Skylight Construction Progress

North Plaza December 2021 Construction Progress - Downtown Main Library

November 2021 Construction Progress - Downtown Main Library

October 2021 Construction Progress - Downtown Main Library

October 2021 Construction Progress - Downtown Main LibraryDecember 2021 Construction Progress - Downtown Main Library

October 2021 Construction Progress - Downtown Main Library

South Building Closing Ceremony - September 2021

Cincinnati City Councilwoman Liz Keating presenting proclamation - September 2021

South Building Closing Ceremony - September 2021

Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Library Director Paula Brehm-Heeger at South Building Closing Ceremony - September 2021

Closing ceremony for the South Building - September 2021

Looking at the crane through the skylight

Crane over the Downtown Main Library's South Building -- September 2021

The "dance floor" beneath the skylight

Working to build the scaffold below the skylight

August 2023 Construction Progress - Downtown Main Library

Erecting the crane to work on the Main skylight

Part of the crane on a flatbed truck

Scaffolding below the skylight

Scaffolding below the skylight at Main

Scaffolding in South building as of August 17

2020 systems project at Downtown Main Library

2020 systems project

Rendering of the Downtown Main Library skylight update

Scaffolding - July 2021

Scaffolding in South Building - July 2021

Scaffolding - July 2021

Project Updates

November 2023

Week of November 13, 2023: The South Plaza is open to the public, featuring an entirely at-grade, accessible plaza, multiple new landscaping beds, and the relocated Amelia Valerio Weinberg Memorial Sculpture.

Temporary bollards have been installed in advance of the installation of the light sculptures to be placed across the South Plaza in 2024. The light sculpture will include groupings of illuminated stainless steel pillars with changing light patterns that will be visible from both outside and inside the building.

The entrance to the South Building remains closed until the completion of the project.

October 2023

Week of October 16, 2023: Installation of the Social Stairs glass panels continues. Exterior soffit cleaning and painting is underway around the South Building. Final concrete placements have been made in the South Plaza, along with soil placements and electric cabling.

Week of October 9, 2023: The initial delivery of glass panels for the Social Stairs has arrived and is being installed. Interior finish work is ongoing. The South Plaza work is expected to be completed by the first week of November. The furniture and finish selections are being finalized.

Week of October 2, 2023: The South Plaza's concrete placements are nearing completion, with soil placed in the landscaping beds and the reinstallation of the Amelia Valerio Weinberg Memorial Sculpture.

Preparations for the Social Stairs' glass handrail installation has begun.

September 2023

Week of September 18, 2023: The South Plaza's concrete placements continue to be poured, along with roofing, fireproofing, and insulation installation of the vestibule.

Sheathing is complete on the Social Stair. Plumbing fixture installation is ongoing in all the new restrooms.

Week of September 11, 2023: Concrete placements continue to be poured in the South Plaza. Sheathing and framing are underway for the Social Stair. Restroom fixture installation is underway.

August 2023

Week of August 21, 2023: Final electrical work for landscaping lighting is underway in the South Plaza along with irrigation rough-ins and concrete pours. The South Building atrium stairs and soffit are being painted, with tilework nearing completion on the new family/child restrooms.

Week of August 14, 2023: The final precast planters for the South Plaza are being installed, with waterproofing being done along 8th Street. In the South Building atrium final drywall soffit finishing is underway, and the Social Stair's framing being completed. Wall and floor tile is complete for Level 3's new restroom.

Week of August 7, 2023: The glass panels for the stair rail are in production and interior finish work is underway. The exterior work on the plaza continues in anticipation of a late 2023 opening of the space. The furniture and finish selections are being finalized.

July 2023

Week of July 31, 2023: Precast planter borders are being placed in the South Plaza, with irrigation piping installation complete for the plaza landscaping. Drywall finishing is still underway for the Social Stairs, with framing underway for the lower level.

Week of July 24, 2023: New curb and sidewalks placements in the South Plaza have started. Soffit framing and drywall finishing has begun in the atrium.

Week of July 17, 2023: Bases for the South Plaza's art installation have been poured, along with foundations for the planters. Drywall hanging for the Social Stairs has been completed, with painting ongoing for the atrium.

Week of July 10, 2023: Painting of the atrium space is ongoing as soffit framing and hanging continues. Preparation work has begun in the South Plaza for precast planter foundations.

June 2023

Week of June 18, 2023: The underside of the skywalk has been repainted and its light fixtures have been replaced. The fireproofing of the Social Stairs is complete. Painting around the atrium is ongoing. Level 3's restrooms have been painted with the installation of its meeting rooms' ceiling grid and light fixtures in progress.

Week of June 12, 2023: Work is wrapping up for tile preparation on the Book Fountain. The external beams in the South Plaza have been wrapped and painted. Painting and fireproofing continues in the atrium and Social Stairs. Level 3's restrooms are being primed and painted.

Week of June 5, 2023: Waterproofing of the Book Fountain has been completed with scratch coat and reinforcing mesh started ahead of tile installation. Fireproofing of the Social Stair is underway as painting of the atrium continues. Final layouts and partitions of Level 1's restrooms have been completed.

May 2023

Week of May 22, 2023: Exterior soffit plaster patching and painting in the South Plaza is complete. Demolition and clearance of the South Plaza has begun. The Social Stairs blocking and handrail welding has been completed. Painting of the brick face and walls has begun to match the recently completed skylight. Drywall is complete on Level 3's meeting rooms with priming and painting starting soon.

April 2023

Week of April 10, 2023: Exterior soffit plaster patching is underway in the South Plaza. Book Fountain walls are complete and forms have been removed ahead of waterproofing. Social Stair blocking and soffit framing is underway. Sprinkler, plumbing, and fire infrastructure installation throughout the North Building continues.

Week of April 17, 2023: Metal framing for the Social Stairs continues with its glass rail mock-up being reviewed by the Architect. Plumbing has been installed in the first floor restroom. The slab has been placed for the Book Fountain in the South Plaza. The North Plaza Vestibule passed inspection and is undergoing final touchups.

Week of April 10, 2023: The structural steel is complete and concrete is poured. A scan of the stairs has been completed, and final stages of the glass railing design and fabrication have begun. The work on the south plaza has started up again with underground utilities being installed. Demo on the remaining sidewalks will start in the next month. The Library has been working closely with the design team on interior finishes and furniture selections

Week of April 3, 2023: Steel framing has begun for the Social Stairs along with scaffolding for framing access to the upper levels of the Social Stair. Guardrail steel support connections and angle installed and inspected. HVAC, electric, drywall, and plumbing is progressing on the first floor.

March 2023

February 2023

Week of February 27, 2023: Underground storm drains and water detention structures in the South Plaza have been completed. Metal decking for the Social Stairs landings are installed with prep underway for the stair concrete pours. Final framing is underway for the Level 3 restrooms and meeting rooms.

Week of February 20, 2023: Excavation for storm drains is underway in the South Plaza. Plumbing and electric for meeting rooms, restrooms, and throughout Floor 1 is ongoing. The Social Stairs steel treads and risers from Level 1 to Level 2 have been installed. Structural walls for the atrium are being built. Final design work for interior finishes and furniture selections is underway.

Week of February 13, 2023: Underground storm work is beginning in the South Plaza. Social Stairs treads and risers installation is continuing within the atrium. On Floors 1 and 3, HVAC duct installation and in-wall rough-in for electric and plumbing continues to progress.

January 2023

Week of January 30, 2023: Installation of the structural support, risers, and treads for the Social Stairs continues. HVAC and layout construction on the third floor are nearing completion. The fencing around the north parking lot has been completed.

Week of January 23, 2023: Electric and plumbing work continues on first and second floor. Partition layout of the first floor is nearing completion with third floor layout preparation beginning. HVAC install continuing on third floor. New fencing around the north parking lot has been installed.

Week of January 16, 2023: The North Vestibule's interior curtainwall and door installation is completed with exterior systems demolition, steel posts, and header install to follow.

Installation has begun on the steel fencing around the north parking lot.

The Social Stairs steel hanging rod has been installed and painted. Steel for the stair landings is being installed. Layout work has begun on the first floor for the new restrooms and Family & Kids area.

Preliminary work has begun on the South Plaza with construction to begin in the upcoming months.

Week of January 9, 2023: Core drilling for the floor boxes providing electricity throughout the building is nearing completion. HVAC ductwork is underway. Final corrections are being made to the masonry wall along the alley in the north parking lot.

Week of January 2, 2023: Construction of the interior stairwell is ongoing with the installation and assembly of structural steel. Completion of the new entryway from the newly renovated North Plaza is on track for early 2023.

December 2022

Week of December 12: Structural steel has been installed for Level C and the third floor of the Social Stair. Installation has begun for the structural steel on the second floor and Level D. Masonry demolition of portions of the atrium handrail continues for landings of the Social Stair. Final repairs are being made on the masonry wall on the north parking lot, with new fencing and grates being fabricated this month for installation in early 2023.

Week of December 5: Work has begun on the structural steel installation on the second floor for the Social Stair. Infill steel and metal decking is complete for the floor in the atrium. Final repairs and corrections are being made to the masonry wall on the north parking lot. Work on the North Plaza vestibule glass continues.

November 2022

Week of November 21: The demolition for the third floor atrium wall and ceiling is complete ahead of the installation of the Social Stair steel beams. Installation prep for the first floor slab is beginning. Work continues on the north parking lot masonry wall.

Week of November 14: Ceiling framing of the North Plaza vestibule is ongoing. A steel beam for the first floor of the atrium is being installed.

Week of November 7: The glass sections for the wall along the Vine Street Plaza have been installed. Temporary vestibule walls and doors have been installed on the South Plaza entry.

New ceiling framing work is ongoing in the North Plaza vestibule.

October 2022

Week of October 31: Installation of the South Building Atrium glass is complete. Work continues on the masonry wall along Vine and Walnut Streets. New ceiling framing has started on the North Plaza vestibule along with demolition to create space for HVAC equipment.

Week of October 24: The final panels of the South Building Atrium glass are being installed. Additional demolition in the basement has begun.

Week of October 10: The South Building Atrium glass is nearing completion. Cleaning, repairing, and restoring work has begun on the masonry wall along Vine and Walnut Streets.

Week of October 3: Glass for the South Building Atrium has been delivered and is being installed. Concrete footers for the new fence along Vine and Walnut Streets are complete.

September 2022

Week of September 26: Concrete foots for the new fence along Vine and Walnut Streets are complete. Glass for the South Building Atrium is being delivered and prepped for install.

Week of September 19: The slab demolition in the Atrium is complete. Debris and materials are being cleared ahead of upcoming structural steel installation for the social stairs.

Concrete footer demolition is complete along the Vine and Walnut with cleaning, repairing, and restoration beginning on the remaining masonry wall. New concrete footers are being prepped for installation of the new fence.

Week of September 5: Demolition of the brick guardrail on the third floor is complete. This will allow customers to access the third floor via the new social stairs and also have two observation areas for customers to view the entire atrium space.

Demolition has continued on other floors of the South Building in preparation for supports structures for the social stars.

Perimeter fencing, barricades, and sidewalk closures have been installed along the corners of Vine and Walnut. Existing concrete foundations along with a small number of trees have been removed. Preparations for repairs and restoration of the remaining masonry walls have begun as well as for the foundation for the new fencing.

Barricades around the North Plaza are being removed. The North Plaza will be open for customers to explore and enjoy throughout the fall.

August 2022

Week of August 29: The ceiling grid demolition has been completed for the atrium and the first two floors of the South Building. The removal of the brick guardrail for the second floor is complete and demolition for the third floor is beginning. Demolition of the brick wall along Walnut and 9th Streets has begun.

Week of August 22: Ceiling grid and pads have been removed along with the existing electrical fixtures and devices from the first and second floors of the South Building. Scaffolding installation is complete in the atrium. Structural demolition is beginning on floor two as part of the installation of the social stair. The sidewalk along Walnut Street has been closed ahead of the demolition of the brick walls along Walnut and 9th Streets.

Week of August 15: Structural steel installation is ongoing in the South Plaza. The ceramic tile removal in the atrium and throughout the first floor is complete. The removal of the atrium's ceiling grid has begun as scaffolding continues to be installed.

Week of August 8: Preparations are being completed ahead of the demolition of the brick walls along Walnut and 9th Streets. Ceramic tile and electrical fixture removal continues on the interior first floor of the South Building. The concrete filling of the South Basement is complete.

Week of August 1: Final inspection of some of the South Building's service elevators is pending. Temporary walls are installed in more areas of the South Building as the demolition of floor tiles and walls that will enable the installation of the interior stairs has begun. Preparations are being made ahead of the installation of a steel beam that will support the social stairs.

July 2022

Week of July 18: Demolition of the existing South Plaza continues with the interior upper slab, steel, and glass wall along Vine Street removal completed. Infill of portions of the South Building basement has begun..

Service elevators in the South Building are nearing completion and scheduled to undergo inspection.

Preparations are being made as the demolition of ceramic tile on the first floor, along with ceilings at multiple locations in the South Building begins soon.

A small amount of materials are being moved from their current storage location along the South Building atrium out to clear space for demolition of a portion of the glass wall and, eventually, installation of a steel beam that will help to support the social stair.

Week of July 4: Construction barriers have been installed around the North Building parking lot in advance of work to replace the existing brick wall with permanent decorative metal fencing.

June 2022

May 2022

April 2022

March 2022

February 2022

Week of February 14: Work is beginning on the South Plaza redesign with construction barricades placed along 9th and Vine streets. This construction will remove access to the Metro bus stop and public recycling container located on Vine St.

Customers can use the nearest Metro stop at Court and Vine streets or find alternative routes on the METRO website, opens a new window. Downtown residents can use the nearest recycling location on at 7th and Vine streets or find other options on the City of Cincinnati's website, opens a new window.

January 2022

Week of January 10: An information session was held on January 12 to provide an update on the project's progress. Watch a recording of the information session, opens a new window on the Library's YouTube channel.

Artist Jen Lewin, opens a new window has been selected to create a monumental permanent public sculpture for the new outdoor plaza on the corner Vine and of 9th streets. The light sculpture will include groupings of illuminated Stainless steel pillars with changing light patterns that will be visible from both outside and inside the building.

Week of January 3, 2022: The renovation of the Downtown Main Library's South Building skylight is now mostly complete! The glass has been installed and crews are working to paint the steel beams that support the glass.The crane used during the skylight project was removed during the weekend of January 8, 2022. The Downtown Main Library's South lot is accessible once again.

December 2021

November 2021

Week of November 15: The Elevator Phase 1 project (1982 Passengers & 1953 Service Elevator) is nearing completion. Work will then move modernizing the remaining three 1950s elevators. The North Plaza renovation is moving quickly with new concrete being poured and the details of the new feature wall along the north side of the plaza are being finalized.

Week of November 22: North Plaza sidewalks and curbs are complete and painting of exterior ceiling has been finished.

September 2021

Week of September 20: This was a big week for the project! The Main Library's South Building closed to the public so crews could begin major work on the building. A closing ceremony, held on Friday, Sept. 24, was led by Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Library Director Paula Brehm-Heeger. Watch a recording of the ceremony on the Library's YouTube channel, opens a new window.

Starting Saturday morning, Sept. 26, staff moved materials from the South Building to the North Building in order to resume service Monday, Sept. 27 during the 18-24 month construction period.

This week, crews also began removing the glass from the skylight using the large crane erected in the South Building parking lot.

Week of September 13: Construction work continues in anticipation of the temporary closure of the Downtown Main Library's South building on Saturday, September 25. Services in the South Building will reopen in the North Building on Monday, September 27, 2021.

August 2021

Week of August 23: It was a big week at the Downtown Main Library! A crane was installed in the south parking lot on Saturday, Aug. 21, to assist with the replacement of the skylight. Read more in this blog post.

In addition, scaffolding inside the building immediately beneath the skylight, known as the "dance floor" is complete. Crews will begin working on the "bath tub" (temporary roofing above the skylight) on August 30.

The Elevator Phase 1 project, (1982 Passengers & 1953 Service Elevator) began on August 9. These elevators will be closed until modernization is complete.

Week of August 16, 2021 - Work on the skylight continues. A crane will be installed on Saturday, August 21. This will be an all-day operation and may roll into Sunday, August 22. The crane will allow crews to work on the skylight replacement from outside the building, and will remain in place in the South parking lot for approximately 18 months.

Crews are continuing to build scaffolding directly underneath the skylight inside the Main Library's South building. Once the scaffolding inside the building is complete, crews will construct a "roofing bathtub" and the South building and Vine St. entrance will remain closed to customers and staff for approximately 18 months.

The atrium closure is expected to take place in late September, and materials and library services from the South building will be moved to the North building during construction so service can continue during construction.

Elevator work is also scheduled to begin inside the South building. Later this summer, the walls around the Children’s Garden will be removed to open up and activate the space.

Work will also begin sometime this month to disassemble the book sculpture and fountain on the Downtown Main Library's Vine St. plaza and move it to temporary storage. This is an important early step that needs to happen before more substantial renovations on the Vine St. plaza can begin. The book sculpture without the water feature will be reinstalled on the renovated plaza later in the project.

July 2021

June 2021

The downtown Main Library is beginning the first phase of our major building improvement project that will take approximately 18 months to complete. In the first phase of the project, we’re replacing the elevators in the south building as well as the skylight. These items have all come to the end of their lifespan. This work is taking place now (June 2021) through the end of the 2021. This means that the Vine St. entrance will remain closed and there will be limited access to the atrium.

Because the majority of the work will be taking place in and around the south building, the Library is focusing service for customers in the north building. All services at the downtown Main Library are still available, but customers will see spaces re-arranged and they should use the entrance on 9th St. We are open Mon. through Sat. From 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

March 2021

A Main Library Improvements Public Information Session was held virtually on March 2, 2021, at 10 a.m.

Representatives from the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library and Champlin Architecture gave an update on upcoming improvements to the Downtown Main Library. Near-term work is focused on replacing the elevators and skylight. The next phase will involve creating a safer, more welcoming, and active entry and plaza on Vine Street. This will also involve re-making the stairs in the atrium to improve wayfinding. A portion of the session was also set aside to gather feedback to help inform the design of the entry and plaza.

Watch the March 2 information session on the Library's YouTube channel, opens a new window

View the March 2 presentation (PDF format), opens a new window

October 2020

June 2020

Community Presentations

Community Information Session Summary, opens a new window - February 25, 2021

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Main Library Project

Main

Library Project

<< Back to Next Generation Library home

Main Library Plaza Redesign and Interior Refresh

Skylight and Elevator Replacement

Energy Retrofit and Roof Replacement

Construction Gallery

Project Updates

Community Presentations

Blog Posts

Now Open! Your Guide to the Main Library's New North Plaza

More Improvements Coming to the Downtown Main Library

Main Library’s South Building Closes for Transformation

Major Improvements Coming to the Downtown Main Library

We'd love your feedback on Building the Next Generation Library.

Services

About the Library

Support the Library

Main Library Project

Main

Library Project

<< Back to Next Generation Library home

Main Library Plaza Redesign and Interior Refresh

Skylight and Elevator Replacement

Energy Retrofit and Roof Replacement

Construction Gallery

Project Updates

Community Presentations

Blog Posts

Downtown Main Library Next Generation Library Blog Posts

Now Open! Your Guide to the Main Library's New North Plaza

More Improvements Coming to the Downtown Main Library

Main Library’s South Building Closes for Transformation

Major Improvements Coming to the Downtown Main Library

We'd love your feedback on Building the Next Generation Library.