Status: Complete
Completion Date:
Branch Library: April 2021
Parklet: October 2023
Improvement Category: Renovation & Expansion
Planning Zone: West
Estimated Investment:
Branch Library: $7.3 million
Parklet: $477,000
Visit the Branch: View location page
Interested in more details? Read the project updates.
The Price Hill Branch Library has reopened to the public as of April 12, 2021.
The Branch was featured in the 2021 American Libraries Magazine Design Showcase, opens a new window as a noteworthy example of a library renovation.
About the renovated and expanded space:
- Additional 6,793 square feet of indoor space, increasing to over 12,000 square feet of useable space
- Accessible to wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers
- Designated quiet areas
- Re-envisioned spaces for adults, teens, kids including three study rooms, four meeting rooms, and a meeting space accommodating up to 100 people
- Bilingual approach, including signage in Spanish
- Increased parking
- Flexibility to meet future community needs
Thank you to the Cincinnati Recreation Commission who generously allowed us to continue serving customers from their building during this project.
Parklet:
The front lawn of the Price Hill Branch Library, facing Warsaw Avenue, became a parklet to engage the neighborhood and visitors to the Library. The parklet was completed in October 2023.
Thanks to support from The Library Foundation, opens a new window, CHPL has partnered with local nonprofit ArtWorks to identify a local artist who will create art for the parklet, which will become an engaging presence for all ages and support the Library's strategic priority of Welcoming Spaces. The parklet will incorporate art, seating, and plantings.
About the Art and Artist
Price Hill resident and artist Michael Coppage has been selected to create art for the parklet. Mr. Coppage's submission was the only one that specifically included community engagement, something the Library knows is a priority to Price Hill residents, as we saw during our own work in designing the renovated branch.
Tentatively titled “Off To See The Wizard,” Mr. Coppage’s concept imagines the sidewalk leading up to the library colored to mimic the yellow brick road from the story. The “road" would be flanked by fluted decorative street poles on both sides. Each pole will have street signs each oriented north, south, east and west. This orientation will create intersections that prompt conversation, provoke curiosity and speak about the period of time we live in simultaneously incorporating the language we use.
Community members participated in two engagement sessions on Feb. 15 and 25 where they shared input for the language at the intersections so it is reflective of the place. The design will be engaging and welcoming, easy to navigate by individuals of all abilities and attractive to a diverse and multi-generational audience.
The current block sculpture will remain at the branch and be relocated as part of the Parklet design.
This effort to include art as part of the project is made possible thanks to generous funding provided by The Library Foundation.
Grand Opening Video
Construction Gallery
Previous Updates
After several community feedback sessions in Price Hill – including sharing the design concepts, FTC&H, the architectural firm hired to do the project, finalized the design for the branch. Initial bidding from contractors was over budget, and the project went to re-bid.
Design Renderings/Layouts
- New Main Entrance, opens a new window
- View from Purcell, opens a new window
- View from Warsaw, opens a new window
- First floor layout, opens a new window
- Second floor layout, opens a new window
The project re-bid construction documents have been advertised online and with the Cincinnati Enquirer on 12/13/19 and 12/16/19 asking for contractors to begin reviewing, estimating the cost to construct the building and assemble their official bids to submit to the Library for consideration. The project required a re-bid since the initial contractor bids, submitted by interested contractors on 11/19/19, exceeded the allowable bid threshold set by Ohio Revised Code for public bidding. The allowable threshold is 10% of the total advertised construction cost estimate. The initial bid came in 22% over the advertised estimate. The Library had to disqualify the bids to comply with the Ohio Revised Code.
As a result of the overbidding and after a careful review of the project plans, the Library Board of Trustees increased the overall project budget to $7.3 million dollars at their December 10, 2019 meeting. The construction market at that time was very competitive as a result of greater demand than available suppliers and workforce. In addition, the cost of materials was higher than in the past several years. This project was a priority given that the current facility is not accessible or operational.
The re-bid from interested contractors were opened and read aloud on January 15th, 2020.
The Library, in conjunction with its construction management team, qualified each bid submitted and awarded contracts to the lowest responsible contractor for each of the nine Trade contracts that were advertised in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code.
Community Presentations
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