05/28/2002 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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firm worked with the Cuyahoga Caunty i,ibrary to come up with a program inside the building, r 1 which is verymodern in nature to serve all age ranges. The outsidE of the building is a very traditional colanial design. The design of the building is based around a circle, which if you stand in the circle and tum you can view all the departments. The main lobby/entrance will be from Butternut Ridge road. There are two meeting rooms to the south West Side as well as restrooms and a cafeteria. The South West conference rooms are designed so that they can be used after library hours. There is a staff support azea to the South East Side of the building, which includes lounge, book drop off, shipping room, conference roam, family bathrooms and a director's office. The East Side of the . building will face the existing NOlV[BL service garage. The story area far cltildren is located on the West Side of the building and includes an outside reading garden. The aduit, audiovisual and teen sectian will be to the north end of the building. The computer center is located at the North East End af the building. The eenter of the building will house new materials and a reading area with natural lighting as well as a water fountain. NTrs. Q'Rvurke quesfiioned how long the water would remain in the abave grvund retention system during a rainstorm, based an .a 100 year storm. Mr. Bittinger suggested that the water would remaan for abaut 2 hours. Mrs. O'Rourke questioned xf there would be atiy fencing around the retention basin. Mr. Hreha questioned how deep tlie retention basin would be. Mr. Bittinger suggested that the system had yet to be designed. However, he believes it will be at the maximum depth 2 to 3 feet. There has been thought given to having a zero entry area, which would increase tawards the buildang, which would eliminate thip need for berms. Mrs. O'Rourke is . concerned about safety and believes the safety department should look at the plans and submit a report. Mrs. 4'Rourke questioned if there would be an outdoor reading area. Mr. Hunsicker reviewed fihat there would be a reading area in frvnt of the building along Lorain Road and ta the west, there wiIl be a children's reading gatden. Due to security reasons, the-outdoor reading areas are only accessible from the autside. Mrs. Harvey questioned if there was an area for patrons to ha.ve lunch or snacks. 1Vtr. HunsiCker indicated that there is a cafe to allow eating. Both meeting rodms are equipped with a galley, which include microwaves, sinks and refrigerators. Mrs. Harvey commented - that she liked the idea of the cafe. Mr. Yager indicated that he represented the Architectural Review Board and thanked the_ applicant for providing copies of the ptans to the board. The Architectural Review Board had a few questions; the camer of Butternut Ridge Road and Columbia Road there is a retention area with a brick wall araund it and very well maintained. The Architectural Review Board would like to see the public garden area along Lorain Road and the water reterition system piaced tagether to create same type of water design. The children's area,, which needs to be protected, is neaz an access road and it should be away from traffic areas and fenced in. The site layout will be addressed later as they un.derstand the building is still being placed onthe site., NIr. Yager questionad if there would be buses on site and if there is, they should be in an area, which is nat visible from either street. He questioned if the general plans allowed enough room for expansion later. There is a concem that the cluldren's a;rea should be isolated from all other azeas af the library to make sure they - are not constantly asked to be quute. The Architectural Review Board would like as much natural light as possible i.e: clear stogy, larger windows etc. The elevation seems to show either a two and almost three 5tory area in the front and back area. Mr. Yager questioned if the two story areas would be used or be lofts to show off the structure. The Architectwal Review Baard questions whether the building sa.ys it was built in 1880 or 2003 or 2004. The building should be a structural learning experience: Mr. Bittinger believes that fihe architectural design will indeed educate. The materials aze progressive in today's mazket and the heating and cooling is of the 21st century. The City is working on making sure it can affbrd the building. The front o€ the buildxng has crea.ted an appearance of a two-story building,_but it is only 1 1/2 stary. .There will be a lot af light in the two ends of the build.ing. The layout of the building is designed to Allaw the librazy to be expanded to 36,000 square feet on the East Side of the site. To a11ow the building to ga upward would be very costly. The fouttdation and structure itself would be much more expensive. Mr. Kaeth quesrioned 'zf the only area that, could be expanded is the ea.st and a total of 6,000 square feet. Mr. Bittinger indicated that there is enough room for 6,000 square feet on the East Side as weIl as an additional 17