04/18/2001 - New Tigard Library Update CITY OF TIGARD PRESS RELEASE
13125 SW Hall Blvd.
Tigard, Oregon 97223
New Tigard Library Update
For Immediate Release
April 18, 2001
Contact: Margaret Barnes
City of Tigard
503-639-4171, ext. 263
In early 2000, the Tigard City Council and Budget Committee met and concluded that
rather that expansion of the existing facility, a new Library was needed in a location
other than at the present civic center property. The firm BML Architects was retained by
the City to study the need for a new Library. In August of 2000 the City Council formed
the New Tigard Library Construction Committee. The Committee was given the charge
to meet on a regular basis and forward recommendations to the Tigard City Council so
the Council may consider placing a bond measure on the ballot in 2002.
The Committee has been meeting on a regular basis with BML Architects to review the
"Needs Analysis Report for a new Tigard Library, " the "Building Program for the new
Tigard Library" and evaluating potential preliminary sites. The Committee met with the
City Council at their workshop meeting on April 17, 2001 to present a preliminary report.
The Committee recommended to the City Council that the City acquire property and
build a new library of 47,000 square feet. This is the recommended size of the building
based on projected population growth. It is believed that this new library would serve
Tigard's service area for the next 15-20 years, based on population projections and
foreseeable needs. In addition to describing the need for a new library the Committee
presented information on three representative possible sites to the Council. The
preliminary estimated cost for this project is between $14 and $17 million. The City
Council was pleased with the work of the Committee and liked all three of the
representative sites. Council accepted in concept the recommended 47,000 square feet
for a new library. The Council instructed the Committee to do further investigation about
these representative sites and report to Council in early summer.
The library received a significant donation of $816,585 from the estate of Grace T.
Houghton in August of 1999. Curtis Tigard, speaking on behalf of his deceased sister
stated that "a library is the stepping stone and foundation to an educated society." He
encouraged the Council to "strongly support any action necessary to provide a new and
enlarged library for the benefit of the present and future residents of Tigard and
surrounding community."
A second donation of $40,00 from Neva Root, long-time Tigard resident and library
volunteer, was gifted to the library in October 1999. Together, these gifts represent an
excellent beginning for the funding of a new library. The Library is also in the process of
forming a foundation. This Foundation will be developing a capital campaign for the new
library.
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