A structural assessment of Ottawa’s main library by Morrison-Hershfield shows the building requires $6.25 million in repairs and upgrades over the next decade.
The 38-year-old building was found to be “in generally good” condition, according to a report prepared for the Ottawa Public Library Board that will be considered in a meeting Monday.
Most of the space within the library is open concept, so making changes to the layout will be “relatively easy,” the report noted.
Expansion options are few, but it’s possible to add a one- or two-storey vertical addition to the northern half of the lower library building, the report stated.
The cost of the full list of repairs and renovations recommended is:
– Electrical systems: $4.23 million
– Building envelope/structure: $1.32 million
– Building interior: $405,000
– Conveying systems: $157,000
– Mechanical systems: $136,000
Library staff recommend the city’s facilities planning committee review the building assessment later in September.
