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Toronto Public Library Catch-All

nfitz said:
Libraries are infrastructure.
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At the same time I don't think it fits in quite well in this forum- it would be really great if UT gets an additional 'Public/Civic Space' subforum since that arguably is the missing element between Buildings and Infrastructure (really mostly transportation), and something that really deserves its own focus.
 
My review of the Albert Campbell branch:

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/gif...2c0338e8e95eff563/5PQMY4ZSHZA4BGVK5DY6NFXDXM/

Originally designed by Fairfield & DuBois, the building recently got a remake by LGA Architectural Partners that retains some of its old labyrinthine complexity while adopting a new language of lightness, wood and transparency. It is one of 10 winners of 2024 design excellence awards from the Ontario Association of Architects, presented last week. The project has two clear lessons for governments everywhere: Renovation can be a powerful strategy, and hiring the right designers is crucial.
 
AlexBozikovic said:
My review of the Albert Campbell branch:

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/gif...2c0338e8e95eff563/5PQMY4ZSHZA4BGVK5DY6NFXDXM/

Originally designed by Fairfield & DuBois, the building recently got a remake by LGA Architectural Partners that retains some of its old labyrinthine complexity while adopting a new language of lightness, wood and transparency. It is one of 10 winners of 2024 design excellence awards from the Ontario Association of Architects, presented last week. The project has two clear lessons for governments everywhere: Renovation can be a powerful strategy, and hiring the right designers is crucial.
Click to expand...

Alex and I fairly much in agreement here. I think a really nice job was done w/this space, and the added warmth in the interior, particularly the use of wood was critical to making the space more 'friendly/warm' while allowing the retention of the older concrete.

We also agree that the black on the exterior was not the way to go. I think Alex might have preferred the retention of the red/orange colour from the 70s; not sure, I'll confess to find that a bit dated, but would have preferred to see the use of the warm wood tones from the interior brought to the outside, to make the exterior a bit warmer in appearance. (while again retaining the concrete, but giving it a nice pairing in finish that softens it a bit.)
 
Update on the Bridlewood Mall branch in Scarborough

20240615_105329.jpg
 
Albert Campbell Library is open and full of patrons.
Taken in late August, 2024 on the weekend.
Beautiful design and innovative wood slat curved ceilings that run through the multiple levels.
The 3d printing space and the youth centre are in particular notable.

AlbertCampbell1.jpg
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Next week's meeting of the TPL Board has its 2025 Operating Budget submission on the agenda.


In it, we see that they are continuing to plan based on pre-approval of a further phase of Open Hours expansion, which was mandated as part of last year's budget process.

From the above:

1729550372001.png



I want to highlight here why I continue to have enormous faith in the TPL senior management roster.

In exchange for 0.7% more funding (above inflationary pressure), they propose to deliver 3% more open hours.

That's a multiplier I love. Service, as perceived by the public will rise more than 4x faster than budget.

The additional hours above are significant.

My only ask beyond these and the hours tentatively allotted to phase 3 (primarily late evenings at the major branches) would be to see Sunday service made universal at pretty much every branch.
 
Also up for consideration at the same meeting is the 2025-2034 capital budget plan.


From the above:

1729551059125.png


Of note here are the delays to the Dawes Road project pushed to late '25, for a start...........

Parkdale pushed out several years........... the importance of this is that it means the entire Parkdale Hub timeline is likely in jeopardy..... @HousingNowTO

St.Lawrence appears to have some design money in '25...but construction is pushed to late '26 / early '27 @DSC

****

Then there's the projects that have fallen off the funded list entirely, for now:

City Hall is no surprise..........

But long contemplated Llllian H. Smith is on hold..........

The forever delayed project at Danforth/Coxwell has no beginning in sight, never mind an end.........

Meanwhile the Deer Park relocation deferral suggests possible delays to the Wittington project to which they are supposed to be relocating.
 
Northern Light said:
Also up for consideration at the same meeting is the 2025-2034 capital budget plan.


From the above:

View attachment 606201

Of note here are the delays to the Dawes Road project pushed to late '25, for a start...........

Parkdale pushed out several years........... the importance of this is that it means the entire Parkdale Hub timeline is likely in jeopardy..... @HousingNowTO

St.Lawrence appears to have some design money in '25...but construction is pushed to late '26 / early '27 @DSC

****

Then there's the projects that have fallen off the funded list entirely, for now:

City Hall is no surprise..........

But long contemplated Llllian H. Smith is on hold..........

The forever delayed project at Danforth/Coxwell has no beginning in sight, never mind an end.........

Meanwhile the Deer Park relocation deferral suggests possible delays to the Wittington project to which they are supposed to be relocating.
Click to expand...
Not surprised there is not much St Lawrence District Library $$ until 2026. The discussions on whether (or how) multi-family accommodation could be added to the site continues. Though I am in favour of trying to add some, I hope that the complications inherent in a mixed use building do not totally scuttle the whole project on the 125 The Esplanade site.
 
Northern Light said:
Also up for consideration at the same meeting is the 2025-2034 capital budget plan.


From the above:

View attachment 606201

Of note here are the delays to the Dawes Road project pushed to late '25, for a start...........

Parkdale pushed out several years........... the importance of this is that it means the entire Parkdale Hub timeline is likely in jeopardy..... @HousingNowTO

St.Lawrence appears to have some design money in '25...but construction is pushed to late '26 / early '27 @DSC

****

Then there's the projects that have fallen off the funded list entirely, for now:

City Hall is no surprise..........

But long contemplated Llllian H. Smith is on hold..........

The forever delayed project at Danforth/Coxwell has no beginning in sight, never mind an end.........

Meanwhile the Deer Park relocation deferral suggests possible delays to the Wittington project to which they are supposed to be relocating.
Click to expand...
I don't see Bridlewood mall on there... The branch is closed... Are they done and just moving over?
 
Coolibop said:
I don't see Bridlewood mall on there... The branch is closed... Are they done and just moving over?
Click to expand...

I haven't paid close attention on this one

But project close-out is listed as this quarter, so that would be my expectation.
 
DSC said:
Not surprised there is not much St Lawrence District Library $$ until 2026. The discussions on whether (or how) multi-family accommodation could be added to the site continues. Though I am in favour of trying to add some, I hope that the complications inherent in a mixed use building do not totally scuttle the whole project on the 125 The Esplanade site.
Click to expand...
We only get one chance to "do it right" -- and a single-use Library only project on that parcel of land is not likely to proceed under the current Mayor's watch.
 
HousingNowTO said:
We only get one chance to "do it right" -- and a single-use Library only project on that parcel of land is not likely to proceed under the current Mayor's watch.
Click to expand...

That's not what's proposed now.

And to be clear, there is no other larger scale project going forward here in the near term future. This one is a straight line delay.

Delays are good, when better is possible. Though, ideally, you get it right at the beginning.

In this case, nothing larger is coming back anytime soon.
 
HousingNowTO said:
We only get one chance to "do it right" -- and a single-use Library only project on that parcel of land is not likely to proceed under the current Mayor's watch.
Click to expand...
There is always tension between 'perfect' and "good" and the risk is always that by holding out for the perfect one ends up with nothing.

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