New Stapleton Library

by Brittney Phua,  Stapleton Realtor

Stapleton Library Coming Soon

Downtown Denver Library will open Stapleton Branch

In 2007, Denver’s citizens passed the ballot initiatives that established the Better Denver Bond program.  The goal of the program is to improve, preserve, renovate and build new roads, libraries, parks, hospitals, public safety facilities, and cultural facilities. We are thrilled that Stapleton will finally get a new library as a result.

Our community has almost everything else to support a growing family. While schools have libraries for our children, most of us really wanted the expanded resources a branch of the Denver Library will provide. We will be able to order hard to find books, tapes and resources from the downtown Library. And, older kids will have a great resource for after-school research. Plus, a good library can be an important amenity for Stapleton real estate values.

There are over 280 bond projects.  Some of the larger projects that have already begun or received funding since the Better Denver Bond program was established are: the construction of a new Science Engagement Center at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, restoration of the historic structures at Civic Center Park, and the building of the Green Valley Ranch Library.  Voters authorized up to $550 million, and of that $36 million was pledged toward maintaining or building libraries.  The new libraries will be in the aforementioned Green Valley Ranch, Stapleton and West Denver.

Stapleton’s library will be between 26,000 – 28,000 square feet and is currently in the design phase.  It will be a single story building located on the east side of the Stapleton Town Center.  The scheduled opening will be December of 2011.  OZ Architecture has been working closely with Stapleton residents and Denver Public Library officials to design a library that meets the needs of the Stapleton community.

Stapleton Realtor and Resident, Brittney Phua

So far, there have been 2 community meetings and the 3^rd is scheduled for March 24^th.    The first was a visionary meeting where residents created their “wish list” for the library.  The second was a conceptual design meeting, where OZ Architecture presented some design ideas based off of the wish lists.  In the next meeting OZ Architecture will present a design that will include the floor plan, feature elements and building image.  Elevations representing the building form and materials will be presented for feedback.

The design will continue to be developed based on the guidance and vision given to Denver Public Library and OZ Architecture by the community through public input. The design and function of this library will be a collaborative effort between our residents and the professionals.

If you are interested in attending the 3^rd meeting, it will be held Wednesday March 24^th at 6:30pm in
the cafeteria at Bill Roberts School. I’ll be there with my friends and neighbors because we are invested in Stapleton. It’s our community. Let’s make the most of it…together.