Library Wrap-Up

The demolition of the entire block lot for the new Whitney Young Branch of the Chicago Public Library (CPL) at 7901 South King Drive is now complete. It will be a one-story facility with an all-new prototype that looks like two stories but will cover more than 14,000 square feet (with a budget of $14,000,000.00) with enough room for a children's center and adult reference sections, and space for a parking lot, the library itself, and a reading garden and with an entrance facing King Drive. Top of the line and state of the art high technology facilities including 4G (4Th Generation) broadband and multiple access points for WI-FI and flat panel computers for children and adults will be offered in the new building. There will also be ample space for auditorium and artist presentations. The architect for the site will be selected by the Public Buildings Commission of Chicago by competitive bidding process. The contractor has not been chosen at this time. Once the Public Buildings Commission as decided on a final prototype, the Commissioner of the CPL will reach out to the Alderwoman of the 6Th Ward to call for public hearings on the architectural design for members of the community to discuss. Dates for such hearings have not yet been set. We strongly urge all of our residents, members, and viewers to write to the CPL Commissioner to express their views on having a 2-story structure, like the one for the Bucktown-Wicker Park branch (1701 N. Milwaukee Avenue) at: Chicago Public Library Commissioner's Office, 10N, 400 S. State Street, Chicago, IL 60605.