City sets groundbreaking for branch

After years of preparation and decades of discussion, construction is scheduled to begin today on the long-awaited North Boulder Library branch.

In anticipation for the new facility, the city is hosting a groundbreaking ceremony at 11:30 a.m. today at 4500 13th St. The event is weather dependent, and if rescheduling is necessary, information will be posted on the library’s website and social media no later than 9 a.m. today, according to a news release from Boulder.

“I’m really excited that we can celebrate our libraries,” said Steven Frost, the vice chair of the Boulder Public Library Commission. “The last time we got a brand new library was 36 years ago. There’s a lot of conversations about growth in the city, and

I think this is a way we can see positive growth.”

The North Boulder Library branch has been in the making for over 30 years and was solidified as a community and workplan priority in the 2018 Library Master Plan, the release said. Construction is expected to take about a year.

“It’s going to be awesome,” said Boulder Library Director David Farnan. “That community has wanted that library for more than 30 years. There were plans from the ’80s. It’s going to be a great library.”

The parcel of land was identified as the preferred site for this facility in 1999. The large lot is outside of the city’s floodplain and can accommodate a high-quality building, related outdoor space, nature-based programming and adequate parking. The location is accessible by public transit and alternative modes of travel, like biking and walking.

It is also adjacent to several communities that have historically been underserved, including Boulder Meadows and Ponderosa. The branch will also serve as the new center for adult literacy and language learning while providing additional afterschool programs.

The overall budget for the planning, design and construction of