Proposed Library Expansion
PROPOSED EXPANSION AT HAPPY VALLEY LIBRARY
Located in the bustling Portland-Metropolitan region, Happy Valley Library is a regional hub for literacy, cultural, and community programming. A well-loved amenity, the Library makes available information and resources on everything from mental health, diversity, history, financial wellness, and more! It serves approximately 61,093 people, the majority of whom are residents in unincorporated Clackamas County.
To meet the needs of one of Oregon’s fastest growing and most diverse communities – and the unincorporated areas served by the Happy Valley Library, the City of Happy Valley is looking into the possibility of constructing a 7,000 square-foot expansion to the existing Library building. Improvements will enable the City to potentially provide a 300-person community room, kitchen, and quiet study rooms, creating a welcoming place for all to use, gather, and celebrate our unique and shared cultural experiences.
PROJECT BENEFITS
- Facility expansion will allow the Library to host more programs, better serving the Library’s large, multijurisdictional service area.
- Resident feedback has consistently shown that there is a lack of meeting space for large groups to gather, share ideas, and build community. Proposed enhancements will create additional space for community events, gatherings, and meetings, helping community members access shared learning spaces and activities closer to home.
THE VISION
The City teamed up with Scott Edwards Architecture and engineers at Harper Houf Peterson Righellis. Utilizing input from residents on the Library Board and library staff members, a vision for an exciting new addition to the library has emerged.
Anchored by a large community room that is divisible, the expansion will also include a community kitchen, individual study rooms, additional restrooms, large entryway, and revived courtyard. During normal library hours, the new community room will used to host programs open to the public. While the existing library already has a community room, this will accommodate many more people and allow for multiple programs to happen at once. It’s also envisioned that the community room and kitchen could be rented out to local groups needing a space to gather.
It is important to note that this vision was driven by community feedback derived from various surveys. The feedback received illustrated a resounding need for more community room space at the library prompting gathering spaces to take center stage. The design proposed has been vetted by the Library Board, Parks Advisory Board, and City Council.
NEXT STEPS
The City is still in the early stages of this project as it continues to evaluate proposed plans and determine feasibility for this project. A construction timeline has not yet been established as the City is currently working to secure more funding and determine project readiness. On March 15th, the Design Review Board will review the updated expansion design. For more details on that meeting, check the following webpage by March 9th Agendas, Minutes & Packets | City of Happy Valley (happyvalleyor.gov).
Should the expansion be approved and funding secured, the goal will be to keep the existing library open throughout the construction process.
For more information about this project, contact Ben Bryant, Assistant City Manager at [email protected] or Doris Grolbert, Happy Valley Library Director at [email protected].
