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City Council Passes Resolution Designating New Central Library Site

On Thursday, February 14, 2008, the Austin City Council passed a resolution to express its guiding vision and policy principles for the disposition of three City-owned properties in what has come to be called the Seaholm East Redevelopment District: the soon-to-be decommissioned Green Water Treatment Plant, the South Seaholm Substation site, and the Austin Energy Control Center. The South Seaholm Substation site fronting on Lady Bird Lake is expected to be dedicated to serve as the location for the stand-alone New Central Library, an iconic structure envisioned as landmark architecture.

A New Central Library Is on the Way!

In November 2006, Austin voters decided a new Central Library is necessary. A well-deserved thanks goes to everyone who worked on this important project. We're leaving the following information live -- the stepping stones to a new Central Library -- for a while, until we're ready to solicit your input on the new facility and services.

History

Read the FAQ

On Thursday, June 8, the Austin City Council officially added the new Central Public Library to the November 2006 bond package at $90 million.

For most of the other items that are being added to the bond, the Council simply read the motion and then voted on it without additional comment. When the Library's turn came up, however, several Council members spoke compellingly about the importance of a new public Library, noting:

- The existing building is in decay.

- The new Library will be be built so that it is capable of expansion.

- The absolute minimum to build it is $90 million.

- It will "anchor" a multi-block section of new development at the site of the Green Treatment facility.

- It will be a "bridge" to citizens seeking to learn about use of computers in this new era of technology and similar comments.

Council members Alvarez, Kim, Leffingwell, and McCracken (who made the motion to add it) took a moment to add special comments in support of the new library. Council member Dunkerley and the Mayor, of course, have also led the City to adopt the library as part of the bond package.

The Council then voted to approve the motion to add the Central Library to the bond package 7-0.

Project Background

The existing Central Library opened in 1979. The community’s need for a Central Library has outgrown the available space. Shelves are so crowded that for every new book added, an old book must be removed.

Library support groups have been advocating for a new Central Library for the past year, asking for at least $90 million for a new facility in downtown Austin to be included in a bond election. The Austin City Council recently finished public hearings regarding a November 2006 bond election package and will make a final decision at the June 8 Council meeting.

We’re all proud to live in Austin, but our library has a long way to go: the only way our library is above average is in the number of people who hold library cards. Learn how Austin’s Central Library stacks up to other cities' libraries.

In the News

Austin sets $567.4 million bond package: Open space and cultural facilities get adds  (Austin American-Statesman)

Austin's fall bond vote already taking shape  (Austin American-Statesman)

City might build new central library on water treatment plant site (Austin American- Statesman)

New Library to Occupy City Water Plant Site (The Daily Texan)

Bond Proposal goes to Austin council unchanged (Austin American-Statesman)

Kicking Around the Bonds (Austin Chronicle)

City Bond Proposal less than originally Sought (The Daily Texan)

The agenda for the new year and beyond

The rise and fall (and rise and fall) of Austin's big new library

Quinn: Look to our libraries' future