Library building plan nears completion: ‘Last projects will be as amazing as the first’

A majority of the construction is completed on new Dayton Metro Library branches and renovations that are part of an $187 million bond issue approved by county voters in 2012.

The latest building project, a new Trotwood Branch Library, will open next month.

“The new library and proposed plans in Trotwood will offer us a lot of new outreach and programming opportunities, which makes our future very dynamic and exciting,” said Caitlin Wissler, Trotwood branch manager. “However, the best moment will be seeing the doors open to the public and the reaction of those we know, as well as all the new people we will meet.”

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A grand opening celebration is from 3 to 6 p.m. March 13 at 855 E. Main St., Trotwood. The branch will open March 14 for regular hours.

Several features unique to the Trotwood Branch Library reflect its community. There are four original art installations in the ReImagining Works project, plus a special piece created using clay from the library grounds.

An outdoor Nature Play Area incorporates local trees that were downed by the 2019 Memorial Day tornadoes, and quads for reading or study feature a Trotwood Trailer design.

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The next project getting underway is the new Burkhardt Branch which will be built across the street from the current building.

The new $8.7 million project serving East Dayton and Riverside will create a library more than double the size of the current branch. It is anticipated that the new Burkhardt Branch will open in early 2022.

The public is invited to an interactive session with the architects for the Burkhardt Branch from 7 to 8:30 p.m. March 3 at Community United Methodist Church, 339 Meyer Ave., at the corner of Burkhardt and Meyer.

At the forum, representatives from Levin Porter Architects, designers of the new building, will discuss the site plan and seek public input on design values and program elements.

To date, 13 Dayton Metro Library locations have been completed in the Libraries for a Smarter Future project, made possible by voter support of a $187 million bond issue in 2012.

As part of the plan, the main library in downtown Dayton was rebuilt and expanded. Backroom functions were moved to an operations center in a renovated historic building nearby to increase the public space at the new Main Library.

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The plan also involved building new branches in Brookville, East Dayton/Riverside, Huber Heights, Miamisburg, New Lebanon, Englewood/Clayton, Northwest Dayton, Southeast Dayton, Trotwood, Vandalia, West Dayton and Wilmington-Stroop. In addition, four branches were renovated and expanded as part of the plan: Electra C. Doren, Kettering-Moraine, Miami Twp. and West Carrollton.

“The systemwide facilities upgrade is a major undertaking requiring a decade to complete,” said Jayne Klose, community engagement manager. “We appreciate the patience of the final communities and want to assure the residents that the last projects will be as amazing as the first.”

Three other projects remain. The new West Branch will be located at the site of the historic Wright Airplane Factory at U.S. 35 and Abbey. It is being designed by LWC Inc.

The firm served as the architects of record for the Main Library and also will design the new Huber Heights Branch. Ruetschle Architects will design the new Northmont Branch. Shook Construction is the Construction Management Firm for all the remaining projects.

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BY THE NUMBERS

$187M: Cost of Dayton Metro Library building plan.

13: Library locations completed

3: Projects remaining.

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