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New Building Design Highlights Public Meeting at the Library

Cheyenne, Wyo. - More than 50 people attended a public meeting on Wednesday night to see and discuss the changes in the Laramie County Library System’s new Laramie County Library building.

“We wanted to strengthen the library’s presence in the community,” lead architect Andy Nielsen said of the new design. Nielsen represents Anderson Mason Dale, the firm selected with Tobin & Associates to create the facility.

Through further investigation, project personnel determined that the conceptual design did not properly meet the needs of the library or the community, so this meeting highlighted design changes in the new building.

Although the architectural team spent a tremendous amount of time on the project, they were only able to spend about two-and-a-half days to “finalize” the preliminary design concept that voters saw prior to the successful tax election in November 2003. That design concept was created with the understanding that it would further develop with additional time and investigation into the needs of the library and the community.

The latest design offers improved amenities for both the staff and the public, and minimizes potential inconveniences for both groups as well. New elements include a change from a four-story to a three-story building, better layout on the land including a stronger presence on Pioneer Avenue, and an enhanced and more complete realization of the location of all library departments.

In the fall of last year, library personnel met with the Metropolitan Planning Organization of Cheyenne to discuss how the building’s design could be improved to strengthen its role in downtown Cheyenne.

Those in attendance at Wednesday’s meeting offered questions and thoughts on the improvements, ranging from the locations of the restrooms to the greater space for the genealogy collection to landscaping and parking.

Nielsen and his colleagues, as well as library building project consultant Anders Dahlgren, also met with the LCLS staff Wednesday morning to discuss the same elements that were presented in the public meeting.

Anyone in the community who would like to see the latest incarnation can do so at the library, 2800 Central Ave. in Cheyenne. Although this design is much closer than before to the final product, one thing is certain throughout this process is that changes will occur.

The public can expect to remain informed about the project throughout the coming months, via more public forums, LCLS web and print materials, local media, and other venues. Additionally, the library administration continues to welcome public comment. This can be done by e-mailing building@lclsonline.org, calling 635-1032, ext. 121, filling out a comment form at any LCLS location, or completing an online form at www.LCLSonline.org/building/comments.html.

Voters approved $26.9 million in sixth-penny tax money for a new library building as well as a new bookmobile and improvements to the Pine Bluffs Branch. The new library will be located in the two-block area from 22nd Street to 23rd Street, O’Neil Avenue to Pioneer Avenue.