COLUMBUS—Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) yesterday topped out its new Gahanna Branch with the final steel beam. This construction milestone marks the topping out of the third project in the second phase of CML’s 4-project aspirational building program.
CML CEO Patrick Losinski was joined by Gahanna Mayor Laurie Jadwin, NBBJ architect Mike Suriano, Turner Construction Project Manager Dave Brown and CML Gahanna Branch Manager Nate Oliver.
The former Gahanna Branch, built in 1991 and renovated in 1998, was one of the most heavily used in CML’s 23-location system. The new two-level Gahanna Branch will nearly double its size from roughly 21,400 square feet to approximately 35,300 square feet. CML hopes to open the new branch in 2023.
During construction, CML has opened a temporary Gahanna Branch at 310 Hamilton Rd. in Hunter’s Ridge Shopping Center. It is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
In 2019, CML completed Phase I of its aspirational building program, which renovated or rebuilt 10 of its 23 locations:
- The new Driving Park Branch opened July 12, 2014
- The new Whitehall Branch opened April 11, 2015
- The new Parsons Branch opened June 4, 2016
- The transformed Main Library opened June 25, 2016
- The new Northern Lights Branch opened Sept. 24, 2016
- The new Shepard Branch opened Oct. 13, 2016
- The new Northside Branch opened June 22, 2017
- The new Hilliard Branch opened June 21, 2018
- The new Martin Luther King Branch opened Oct. 18, 2018
- The new Dublin Branch opened June 6, 2019
The Gahanna Branch project is part of Phase II, which is renovating or rebuilding an additional four locations:
- The new Karl Road Branch opened Sept. 9, 2021
- The transformed Hilltop Branch opened Sept. 30, 2021
- The new Gahanna Branch is expected to open in 2023
- Planning for a new Reynoldsburg Branch is underway
CML hopes to have all four Phase II projects completed by 2024.
CML understands that great libraries create stronger communities, and each branch is an essential hub that reflects the unique needs of the neighborhood it serves. Some of CML’s 23 locations are 30 to 40 years old and inadequate to meet the demands of a growing 21st century community. Demands and expectations will continue to grow, along with the population of Franklin County.
CML’s aspirational building program is the result of a community-wide process that will continue to serve the needs of Franklin County well into the future. The plan is a multi-phased comprehensive blueprint that reinvents and revitalizes the entire 600,000 square feet maintained by the library.
In addition to being a vital community asset, Columbus Metropolitan Library strives to minimize its environmental footprint. With each new building or renovation project, CML plans to use sustainable building materials, incorporate glass for natural light to reduce energy costs and introduce other design and building elements friendly to the natural environment.
Visit columbuslibrary.org for more information and to track progress of CML’s ambitious building program.
