KCLS Ready To Start Kenmore Library

The King County Library System is breaking ground Tuesday on its $10.49 million Kenmore Library. The 9,500 square-foot branch is being built by Sierra Construction at 6531 N.E. 181st St., about a half-mile from the existing library. The new building will be made of brick and structural steel, with a below grade garage containing 19 parking stalls and mechanical and electrical systems. It will include a community meeting room, children’s and teen areas, and more space for studying and reading. Sierra’s bid of $3.19 million was about 25 percent below the engineer’s estimate and the lowest of 22 contractors seeking the work. The Woodinville based contractor expects to finish by March of 2011.

Weinstein AIU is the architect. Other design team members are: Swift & Co. Landscape Architects, landscape architect; Magnusson Klemencic Associates, structural engineer; Flack + Kurtz, mechanical and electrical engineer; Springline Design, civil engineer; SSA Acoustics, acoustical engineer; Associated Earth Sciences, geotechnical engineer; Material Testing & Consulting, special inspector; Robinson Co., cost estimator; and URS, owner’s representative.

Sierra’s team is headed up by project manager John Barnes, superintendent Jamey Clark and project engineer Matt Enany.

Major subcontractors are: Crescent Sheet Metal, mechanical; Fairweather Masonry Co., masonry; Kryger Construction, excavation and site utilities; Natural Concept Landscape, landscaping and irrigation; CalPortland, concrete supplier; K Kenny Construction, concrete finishing; J&S Services, steel erector; Cobra Roofing Envelope, roofing; Centennial Glass, storefront, skylights and canopies; Pacific Construction Systems, metal framing and wallboard; Schindler Elevator, elevator; AFP Systems, fire sprinklers; and All Wire Electric, electrical.

Funding for the library is coming from a $172 million capital bond that was approved by voters to fund major upkeep and expansion of KCLS libraries.