Broadview Branch, The Seattle Public Library, reopens on December 8, 2007.

  • By Tom Brown
  • Posted 9/03/2008
  • HistoryLink.org Essay 8760
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On December 8, 2007, the expanded and remodeled Broadview Branch, The Seattle Public Library, reopens after a $7 million remodeling and expansion. The project retains the longhouse theme of the original branch and provides a new main entry off Greenwood Avenue N for pedestrians, and a second major entry off the parking lot for motorists

The branch reopened with about 66,000 items (near its capacity of 66,700), 40 new computers (compared with 11 in the old facility), meeting rooms, and areas for children and teens. The expansion brought the library to 15,000 square feet, nearly double the original space of 8,405 square feet.

Miller Hayashi Architects designed the expansion, which incorporated vertical support logs from the original and employed high ceilings and clerestories to let in north light. Graham Contracting Ltd. began construction in July 2006, which lasted about a year and a half.

Four pieces by Northwest artist Marvin Oliver, which hung in the original branch, are on display as are a suspended wooden vessel and cast-glass blocks by Seattle artist Theresa Batty.

The Broadview Branch was the 25th project completed under the $196 million "Libraries for All" building program, funded by a bond issue approved by voters in 1998. The branch has been located at 12755 Greenwood Avenue N since 1976.

Sources: "About the Broadview Branch," The Seattle Public Library website accessed on September 3, 2008 (http://www.spl.org/default.asp?pageID=branch_open_about&branchID=5); HistoryLink.org Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History, “Broadview Branch, The Seattle Public Library” (by David Wilma) http://historylink.org (accessed September 3, 2008).

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