The design team of Cesar Pelli and Associates was named October 5 as the architect for the new Minneapolis downtown library. The unanimous selection of the New Haven, Connecticut, architectural firm by the central library’s implementation committee ends a four-month search that began with a pool of 32 architects.
The recommendation was approved by the library board October 9 and was expected to be approved by the city council at its October 12 meeting.
In November 2000, 67% of Minneapolis residents approved a $140-million library referendum, $110 million of which will go toward construction of the new library. The remaining $30 million will be used to cover 10 years’ worth of library improvements. Groundbreaking for the new $122-million, 400,000-square-foot building is planned for 2003 with completion in 2006. It will include a new planetarium, retail space, a residential tower, and parking.
At its October 9 meeting, the library board also approved proceeding with negotiations to lease space for an interim downtown library site while the new building is under construction, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported October 10.
Posted October 15, 2001.