The Symmes Township Branch's new build opened to the public on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

The Library is working toward a March Symmes Twp. Banch opening. Turner Construction has worked diligently to stay on schedule, and we expect to receive the branch’s Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) in February, with shelving and furniture arriving soon after. CHPL has extended the lease on the temporary space through April so staff can pack up without delaying the opening of the new branch.

Week of Dec. 8: The interior finish work continues with flooring going in and the demountable partition in the meeting room being installed. The exterior building metal trim is being installed. The construction trailer has been removed and site finish work is underway.

The solar panels are being connected to the mechanical system and the building automation system is being configured.

Turner has worked diligently to maintain the schedule and we are working to open the building in March 2026.

Week of Dec. 22: The snowfall on 12/2 slightly affected our workforce, but everyone was back at it on 12/3. All outside activities were paused last week due to the weather; however, it allowed the team to make significant progress inside. Drywall finishing, acoustic ceiling grid, and ceiling border installation continued. Overhead lights are being installed, and the first coat of paint has been completed throughout. The mechanical team worked on final piping connections and diffuser installation, while the fire sprinkler team continued installing sprinkler heads. Overall, the team remains highly productive despite the winter weather, and we can’t wait to offer the community a warm welcome soon.

Week of Nov. 3: Last week, our push to get the remaining gravel in place paid off. We were able to get the base layer of the pavement the north lot and drive-thru installed over the weekend! We kept the momentum going by clearing the site early in the week, so milling the parking lot and drive could continue (even in the rain!). We’re planning to have the lot cleaned this weekend, with final paving and striping scheduled for Monday. The storefront window installation and landscaping are taking shape, while inside, teams are hard at work on painting, tile, electrical, and preparing for ceiling and flooring installation. Exciting progress all around, and we’re getting closer!

Week of Nov. 10: Last week kicked off with final paving and striping, a milestone we had originally planned for next spring! Thanks to incredible teamwork and coordination, we were able to reach this goal ahead of schedule. The site is buzzing with progress — landscaping, storefront installation, canopy ceiling framing, and interior work on HVAC, tile, painting, and ceilings are all moving right along. We even turned the water on to the building, and if all goes as planned, we’ll have permanent power connected later this week, bringing us one step closer to completion!

Week of Oct. 6: Despite last week’s rain slowing exterior progress and leaving the site muddy, interior work has moved forward significantly. Hard ceilings are framed, drywall and finishing are about halfway complete, and installation of overhead conduit, lighting, and data lines continues alongside ductwork, piping, and mechanical units. On the exterior, window frame installation is underway, concrete curbs and frost slabs at doors have been poured, solar panels are being set on the roof, and the brickwork and Corten steel canopy elements are now complete. With drier weather ahead, crews are preparing to ramp up exterior work.

Week of Oct. 13: There has been significant progress inside the building. The hard ceilings have been framed, and drywall installation and finishing are about 60 percent complete. Crews continue installing overhead fire alarm conduit, lighting, and data lines, while ductwork, piping, and mechanical units are also being installed.

On the exterior, window frame installation and solar panel installation continues.

Oct. 16 update: Despite a rainy start to last week, significant progress was made on site! Exterior work included installing solar panels, storefronts, light poles, sidewalks, and work on the canopy. Inside, crews continued drywall finishing, insulated ductwork and piping, and began painting the “back of house” areas. Mechanical equipment was delivered and set, and inspections went smoothly. Morale remains high, and the team’s positive energy is keeping the project on track for success.

Week of Sept. 22: The plumbing crew has been hard at work as have the dirt crew focused on final grades in preparation of site concrete and paving. Electricians, Mechanical, and Drywall contractors continue their work inside the building.

Sept. 25: Despite last week’s rain slowing exterior progress and leaving the site muddy, interior work has moved forward significantly. Hard ceilings are framed, drywall and finishing are about halfway complete, and installation of overhead conduit, lighting, and data lines continues alongside ductwork, piping, and mechanical units. On the exterior, window frame installation is underway, concrete curbs and frost slabs at doors have been poured, solar panels are being set on the roof, and the brickwork and Corten steel canopy elements are now complete. With drier weather ahead, crews are preparing to ramp up exterior work.

Week of Aug. 4: The Library has made great progress over the past two weeks! The teams have been busy getting HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work in place, and most of the interior wall framing is wrapped up. The temporary panels were installed last week to close up the building so we can get the A/C running and move right into the drywall and blocking in the walls. Outside, the team got stone for the parking lot and are prepping the area for pavement. You’ll notice we moved our camera to better capture the front of the building.

Week of Aug. 18: The construction of the branch is progressing on schedule. The interior wall framing is nearing completion, and work on the inside perimeter walls is set to begin early next week. Additionally, the installation of fire suppression systems, HVAC ducts, and overhead plumbing is currently underway. The electrical equipment has been received, and electrical rough-in work will begin soon. Temporary panels will be installed in existing perimeter openings in preparation for the air conditioning installation.

The mason has completed the east side face brick and reassigned most of the crew to washing and dismantling scaffolding, which is underway on the west side. The north side face brick is currently being washed, with scaffolding removal scheduled for this week, and work has begun on the south side face brick. The north side canopy (facing the road) is scheduled for delivery and installation this week. Electrical has successfully passed its in-wall inspection, and plumbing is expected to complete its in-wall inspection soon. Drywall installation began Monday, and all hollow metal door frames have been set. Outside, the east parking lot base pavement was placed along with seed and straw.

Week of Sept. 1: It’s all coming together! Last week, the Library wrapped up the domestic water work and passed the big in-wall plumbing inspection, which cleared the building for the framing inspection, which also passed. Insulation and drywall are going up now! Outside, the brickwork on the south side is finished and ready for a wash as scaffolding comes down. The north and west canopies now have their structural steel in place, and the team is fine-tuning the details. To top it off, the final layer of roofing went on, literally capping off an amazing week of progress!

Week of July 11: With crews completing the installation of the steel decking on the roof trusses last week, roof installation is now underway. Inside the building, crews have begun installing the top tracks for the wall framing. You may notice some light coming from the building, but that’s just temporary lighting for now. Once the roof is fully in place, interior work will really start to take off. Outside, all concrete curbs for the parking lot and drive are finished. The concrete masonry unit (CMU) installation is also complete; however, that’s not the final look. You’ll start to see brickwork going up around the building soon.

Week of July 28: The roofing installers mobilized and have worked to get the building covered, which allowed the construction crews to continue to work inside the building during these spotty rain showers. The electric rough-in, exterior brick, and interior framing are ongoing.

Week of June 2: The site preparation work is ongoing. The perimeter CMU block wall installation is underway with most of the north wall complete. The electrical and plumbing work is on schedule. The steel contractors are mobilized and ready to receive deliveries. The expansive slab pour was poured in late May.

Turner continues to work to stay on schedule. The wet and cold winter and spring have posed some challenges for an already aggressive timeline.

The planning for the children’s play element is complete, and Kramer Design is working on the technical elements. The feature will include a children’s climber resembling an airplane and will include several world travel components to represent the diverse community.

Week of June 9: Have you had a chance to see the time-lapse video yet? A time-lapse video of the concrete slab being poured has been added to this page, showcasing this crucial step. In preparation for the new parking lot and curbs, seven truckloads of soil were removed from the site last week. The electrician and concrete contractor worked together over the last week to prepare the bases for the new site lighting. The steel joists and decking arrived on May 30, followed by the steel columns on June 5. Additionally, the steel was set at the four building corners, setting the stage for the rest of the columns and joists to be installed soon. Meanwhile, the mason continued installing the remaining concrete masonry units.

Week of May 2: Thanks to the good weather two weeks ago, we made excellent progress on-site, though the recent rain showers have certainly posed a challenge. Nearly 600 tons of stone were delivered this week, and you may have noticed the arrival of a new construction office trailer on Monday, April 28. We’re anticipating Duke Energy bringing power to our temporary pole from across the street any day now.

Week of May 5: Despite a rainy start to the week of May 5, progress on site continues! On Thursday, May 8, Duke Energy energized the temporary power pole, allowing the Turner team to move into the new project trailer the same day. During the week of May 12, the library team reviewed the masons’ brick mock-up, and scaffolding installation began in preparation for wall construction. Concrete masonry unit (CMU) installation began on May 14 and is progressing rapidly. Drilling for the geothermal wells is now complete, and grading of the detention basin continues to advance.

Week of May 27: Despite the inch of rain on May 20, construction has progressed well. Although the concrete pour was delayed due to even more rain on May 27, it successfully took place on May 29, requiring much coordination and 39 trucks filled with concrete! The concrete masonry units are going up quickly, as you can see, the walls are beginning to take shape. Keep your eyes peeled; brick and steel are the next things you’ll be able to see going up.

Week of April 16, 2025: The majority of the geothermal wells have been completed. The concrete foundation is complete and underground line installation is ongoing. The masonry contractor and the site contractor have mobilized and started the significant structural work. Additionally, the kids' play element design is almost complete.

Week of April 23: It rained so much that the site had to be “dewatered” before the installation of the stormwater line could start on Tuesday. Dewatering is just as it sounds, the removal of water from the site, typically with pumps.  The new underground power and the CMU portion of the building foundation are complete.

Week of February 11, 2024: The permitting is complete so that earthwork and grading can begin. The demolition is complete and all the debris has been removed from the site. The project is on schedule. We intend to complete the design of the children’s play element by mid-February

Week of November 5, 2024: Demolition of the building is scheduled to begin the week of November 5.

Week of August 12, 2024: The design and cost-estimating process is wrapping up for the project. We are working hard to maintain costs while incorporating energy-saving features.

In order to expedite the project, we will begin demolition while the project is being bid and the GMP (guaranteed maximum price) is being compiled.

We anticipate the new branch GMP for the Symmes Township New Branch in October 2024.

After the approval at the June 2024 Board Meeting, the Library executed a lease on the temporary space at Governors Way. The Library Facilities Team is preparing the space, and we expect to move to the location in early October.

Week of June 10, 2024: Two phases of the project are planned to begin soon: The first GMP will include demolition and site work. We intend to have this GMP at the August 2024 meeting of the Library's Board of Trustees. The second GMP will be for the building construction, and we are targeting October 2024 for issuance.

A temporary location at 9267 Governor’s Way, Cincinnati, Ohio 45249, approximately .5 miles from the branch, will provide space for basic service during the construction including holds pickup, material returns, passport service, limited programs, and a curated collection.

Week of June 3, 2024: Tests for the planned new building's geothermal energy system will begin Monday, June 10 through Tuesday, June 11. The test will occur away from the branch and toward the back of the property, but there may be noticeable noise during this time.

The branch will remain open with no interruptions to services or parking.

Week of April 8, 2024: We have spent a considerable amount of time and resources over the last year developing and evaluating design options to improve the branch parking lot, pedestrian and traffic safety, and service operations at our system’s busiest branch. During the process, the estimates to renovate and create a small addition were between $8 million – $10 million. Considering the lack of options to make cost-efficient and significant improvements, and given a rare opportunity for the Library to take advantage of tax reduction energy incentives, the Library is now considering a plan to demolish the existing structure and construct a new larger branch that is planned to include solar panels and a geothermal energy system.

The preliminary estimate for the project’s 22,000-square-foot building is approximately $16 million. We are seeking a temporary location to provide service during construction (approximately September 2024 – November 2025) and plan to engage with the community in April.

We will engage the services of JS Held on this project.

Week of December 11, 2023: After a successful community engagement at the Symmes Township Branch Customer Appreciation Day in October, we began working with SHP on this project. We continue to work through the design details and are hopeful to share more details in 2024.

Week of October 8, 2023: We have been working over the last year to maximize the site and the interior of the branch while improving traffic flow and branch entry. We recently engaged JS Held to take a fresh look at the site and provide feedback on the options.

After meeting with the design professionals and Turner Construction, we have an updated plan that we plan to share with the staff and customers. We hope to return to the project design this fall.

Week of March 31, 2023: A community engagement session took place on March 31, 2023. The session was an opportunity to share feedback and learn more about the Symmes Township Branch Library renovations.

Week of December 12, 2022: Scope design continues in collaboration with internal and external partners, including a potential addition to the building and parking lot improvements.

Week of December 5, 2022: Work continues with internal and external partners in scope development for the project.