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Newcastle: Monthly Update Archives

December 2012
The first Newcastle Library opened on Saturday, December 8, to a crowd of more than 1,000 people. A number of dignitaries attended, including KCLS Board Trustee Jim Wigfall, Newcastle Mayor Rich Crispo, Congressman Adam Smith, 41st District Representative Marcie Maxwell, Deputy King County Executive Fred Jarrett and the President of the Friends of the Newcastle Library, Julia Hunter. Once the doors officially opened, attendees toured the library and enjoyed refreshments and music by the Parnassus Project.  

October 2012
Construction continues and site work includes electrical and plumbing work as well as installing carpet and cabinets. The move-in and set-up process will soon begin and the library is scheduled to open to the community with a ribbon-cutting and open house on Saturday, December 8, 9:30am.

September 2012
Construction continues and site activity includes installing drywall, brick veneer, windows and electrical work. The library is nearing completion and the move-in and set-up process will soon begin. The library is scheduled to open to the community with a ribbon-cutting and open house on Saturday, December 8, 9:30am. View the Updated Construction Schedule 

August 2012
Construction continues with substantial completion of the new library targeted for late summer, at which time the interior will be prepared for the library to open to the community in fall 2012. Current site activity includes electrical work, interior masonry and elevator installation. 

July 2012
Construction continues with substantial completion of the new library targeted for late summer, at which time the interior will be prepared for the library to open to the community in fall 2012. Current site activity includes utility and electrical work. View the Updated Construction Schedule

June 2012
Substantial completion of the new library is targeted for late summer, at which time the interior will be prepared for the library to open to the community in fall 2012 (currently estimated for October). Current site activity includes exterior wall framing, followed by window installation. The building is expected to be fully enclosed by early July. View the Updated Construction Schedule

May 2012
Construction continues, with substantial completion targeted for summer 2012. The elevator was recently installed and progress continues on the roofing and electrical work.

April 2012
Construction continues with substantial completion targeted for Summer 2012. Brick work on two sides of the building has been completed and electrical work and interior framing are underway.

March 2012
Construction continues on the new 11,000 square foot library. Radiant flooring tubes are currently being installed and brick work is underway.

February 2012
Construction continues on the new library, with recent site work including interior wall framing, brick work and plumbing.

January 2012
Construction work continues on the Newcastle Library, with recent site work including completing the exterior framing and pouring concrete for stairs. The shape of the building is now visible.

December 2011
Construction continues on the new library with substantial completion targeted for the first quarter of 2012. Recent site work includes framing the upper roof, forming stairs and landings and completing structural steel work.

November 2011
Construction continues with completion targeted for the first quarter of 2012. Recent site work includes constructing the exterior library walls.

October 2011
Construction continues on the new library, which is anticipated to open in 2012. Recent site work includes constructing the exterior library walls.

September 2011
Construction continues on the new 11,000 square foot library, which is anticipated to open in 2012.

August 2011
Construction continues on the new 11,000 square foot library. Recent site work includes preparing for concrete to be poured for the parking garage walls.

July 2011
Construction continues on the new 11,000 square foot library. Recent site work includes excavating the remaining interior footings and finishing the interior column footings and retaining walls.

June 2011
Construction is underway on the new 11,000 square foot library and foundation work has begun for the parking garage, which will be located under the library.

May 2011
Construction is underway on the new library. A drilling rig is currently digging 300 footholds for geothermal wells, to enable heat to be pumped to or from the ground for the heating and cooling of the building. Once this is completed, the foundation work will begin for the parking garage, which will be located under the library.

April 2011
Construction of the new 11,000 square foot library continues. The library is anticipated to open in 2012.

March 2011
Construction of the new 11,000 square foot library continues. The library is anticipated to open in 2012.

February 2011
Construction on the new 11,000 square foot library is officially underway after the building permit for the project was issued in early January. 

January 2011
The building permit was received and construction is now underway on the new library after the contractor was given notice to proceed.

December 2010
KCLS officials and the consultant team received notice in mid-December that the site, engineering and building plans were approved by the city with conditions, such as completing the underground conversion of the existing overhead power lines. It is anticipated that the building permit will be ready for pick-up in early January and KCLS officials have given the contractor notice to proceed on the project.

November 2010
In preparation for construction to begin on the new library, the consultant team slightly revised the site plan in accordance with the city's requirement that the underground parking garage not be accessible from the property to the east of the library. Final comments have been received and the design team submitted a revised site plan and engineering and building plans.

October 2010
More than 300 residents attended a groundbreaking event on the afternoon of October 20. A 60-member band from Tyee Middle School performed and KCLS Director Bill Ptacek, Newcastle Mayor John Dulcich and KCLS Board Member Rob Spitzer shared highlights of the project. The contractor for the project is Synergy Construction and KCLS will be finalizing site plan permits from the city as well as construction easements during the next month.

September 2010
A groundbreaking event to celebrate the start of construction will be held on Wednesday, October 20 at 3:45pm. The community is invited to attend the event, which will feature a band from Tyee middle school. During the next month, KCLS will finalize the site plan permits from the City of Newcastle as well as construction easements.

August 2010
KCLS’ consultant team submitted building permit drawings for review and comment by City officials. The bid date is September 15 and construction of the new library is anticipated to start in October 2010.

July 2010
KCLS’ consultant team submitted building permit drawings for review and comment by city staff. KCLS and the consultant team are currently working with Puget Sound Energy to locate the underground utilities. The project is anticipated to go out to bid in mid-August.

June 2010
Progress continues on plans for building the Newcastle Library and parking. KCLS’ consultant team from Mithun Architects has submitted building and site plan permit drawings to the City of Newcastle for review and comment. KCLS anticipates advertising for general contractor bids mid-August through mid-September.

May 2010
Progress continues on plans for building the Newcastle Library and parking. Mithun Architects are preparing to submit a revised site plan application for a standalone library and parking as well as construction documents for the building permit.

April 2010
KCLS and the consultant team are making progress on preparing for the first phase of the project, which includes building the Newcastle Library and parking. Mithun Architects is preparing to submit a revised site plan application for the standalone library as well as construction documents for the building permit.

March 2010
Mithun Architects and KCLS staff are working through the development process for the new Library and will soon submit documents for a modified site use permit. To allow community members to review and offer input about the design for the new Newcastle Library, a public meeting is set for Wednesday, April 7, 6:30pm at Newcastle City Hall.

February 2010
KCLS staff was invited to present information about the Newcastle Library at a Hazelwood Community Association meeting. Several members of the City Council, who were in attendance, confirmed that KCLS is developing the site in accordance with land use policies established by the previous City Council. The Mayor and City Council members pledged to move the project through the permitting process as quickly as possible. Construction is anticipated to start in August or September 2010. A public meeting is set for April 7 at Newcastle City Hall to allow the community to review plans.

January 2010
KCLS and the consultant team is working to complete design drawings for the first phase of the mixed-use project, which entails building the Library and parking. A public meeting is set for April 7 at Newcastle City Hall to discuss plans for the new Library.

December 2009
KCLS and the consultant teams are working toward submitting for a building permit as early in 2010 as possible. KCLS recently announced that the mixed-use development will be completed in phases, with the first phase calling for building the new library and parking. The change in arrangements with the private developer, Lorig, stems from the drastic change in the construction bid climate and the need for KCLS to complete the new Library as soon as possible for the community.

November 2009
KCLS has announced that the mixed-use development will now be completed in phases. The first phase is for KCLS to manage construction of the new 11,500-square-foot Library and associated parking as a public works project. The change in arrangements with the private developer, Lorig, stems from the drastic change in the construction bid climate and the need for KCLS to complete the new Library as soon as possible for the community. Financing of the private portion of the mixed-use project was delayed due to constraints beyond the developer’s control. KCLS and Lorig representatives are working with the consultant team to prepare permit sets of drawings for the City of Newcastle to review for a building permit. Learn more

October 2009
Planning for the Newcastle Library continues. KCLS has committed to incorporating the space that was once designated as “retail” into the Library, making the projected size of the Library approximately 11,500 square feet. The additional 1,500 square feet will be located in front of the Library and will greatly enhance the Library’s visibility. The current schedule has the start of construction slated for March 2010.

September 2009
KCLS has committed to incorporating the space that was once designated as “retail” into the Library, making the projected size of the Library approximately 11,500 square feet. The additional 1,500 square feet will be located in front of the Library and will greatly enhance the Library’s visibility.

August 2009
The schedule for the construction of the Newcastle Library and mixed-use project has been adjusted to allow enough time to complete the design work necessary for the permitting process. Construction is expected to start by March 2010.

July 2009
The schedule for the construction of the Newcastle Library and mixed-use project has been adjusted to allow enough time to complete the design work necessary for the permitting process. Construction is expected to start by March 2010.

June 2009
KCLS and Lorig Associates continue to develop designs, plans and specifications for the mixed-use project on Newcastle Way and 129th Street SE. KCLS’ consultant team is preparing documents and plans for a separate public bid for the Library interior work.

May 2009
KCLS and Lorig Associates are developing the designs, plans and specifications for the mixed-use project on Newcastle Way and 129th Avenue SE. KCLS continues to hope that the permit reviews will be completed this year so that construction can proceed. W. G. Clark is the General Contractor for the project. KCLS will be preparing documents and plans for a separate public bid on the Library interior work.

April 2009
KCLS and Lorig Associates continue to develop designs, plans and specifications for the mixed-use project. KCLS hopes the permit reviews will be completed this year so that construction can get under way. KCLS will be preparing documents and plans for a separate public bid for the Library interior work.

March 2009
KCLS and Lorig Associates continue to develop the designs, plans and specifications for the mixed-use project. KCLS hopes that the permit reviews will be completed this year so that construction may start in 2010. W.G. Clark is the general contractor for the project and KCLS will be preparing documents and plans for a separate public bid for the Library interior work.

February 2009
KCLS and Lorig Associates continue to make progress on the preliminary designs for the new mixed-use development on Newcastle Way, which will include a new library. Next steps include completion and submittal of building permit plans for the City of Newcastle to review. Construction is anticipated to start in October or November of 2009.

January 2009
KCLS and Lorig Associates have completed all the legal documents required for the public-private partnership.  A commercial site development application is currently under review by the City of Newcastle. Staff comments were received and KCLS’ project consultants are responding. The project design has progressed the past year, with drawings and specifications about 40 percent complete.

December 2008
Work continues to complete documents between Lorig Associates and KCLS. A commercial site development application is under review by the City of Newcastle.

November 2008
The documents between Lorig Associates and KCLS regarding the mixed-use development are still being finalized. A commercial site development application is under review by the City of Newcastle and project consultants are responding to comments received from city staff.

October 2008
Work continues on finalizing documents between Lorig Associates and KCLS regarding the mixed-use development. The commercial site development application is also under review by the City of Newcastle. KCLS’ project consultants are responding to comments received from City staff.

September 2008
Documents continue to be finalized between Lorig Associates and KCLS regarding a mixed-use development comprised of a 10,000 square foot library and parking, 1,400 square feet of commercial space and 78 apartments with separate parking. A commercial site development application is under review by the City of Newcastle and KCLS consultants are responding to comments received from city staff.

August 2008
Planning and design work are in progress for the mixed-used development that will consist of a 10,000 square foot library and parking, 1,400 square feet of commercial space and 78 apartments with separate parking. Details of the development agreement, purchase and sale agreement and condominium declaration will soon be finalized.

July 2008
KCLS and Lorig Associates continue to work through the development agreement for the construction of a 10,000-square-foot Library and parking, 1,400-square-foot commercial space and 78 apartments with separate parking. The project team previously submitted the site development application to the City of Newcastle and the first round of comments were responded to by Mithun Architects.   

June 2008
KCLS and Lorig Associates are working through the development agreements for the construction of a  10,000-square-foot Library and parking, 1,500-square-foot commercial space and 78 apartments with separate parking for residents. The project team submitted the site development application to the City of Newcastle and public notice was posted on the site. KCLS continues to work through the legal issues associated with the project.

May 2008
KCLS and Lorig Associates are working through the development agreements for the construction of a 10,000-square-foot Library and parking, 1,500-square-foot commercial space and 78 apartments with separate parking for the residents. The project team submitted the site development application to the City of Newcastle and public notice was posted on the site. The project team received City staff’s initial comments on the site plan proposal. In addition, work is under way to coordinate with the Sound Transit Bus Service plans that the City of Newcastle developed.

April 2008
KCLS and Lorig Associates are working through the development agreements necessary for the design, permitting and construction of a 10,000 square foot Library and parking, 1,500 square foot commercial space and 78-80 apartments with separate parking. The architects submitted the site development application to the City of Newcastle in February and public notice was posted on the site. The project team received the City staff’s comments on the site plan proposal. In addition, work is underway to coordinate with the Sound Transit Bus Service plans that the City of Newcastle has developed.

March 2008
KCLS has been working with Lorig Associates to craft development agreements for the construction of a 10,000-square-foot Library and parking plus 78 apartments with separate parking. A public meeting to discuss the Newcastle Library project was held on March 19. KCLS and Lorig Associates have come to agreement on most points and lawyers are developing documents for a formal agreement.

February 2008
KCLS is still working with Lorig & Associates on a pre-development agreement for a mixed-use co-development project, which would include a 10,000-square-foot Library, parking lot and 78 apartments with resident parking. The schematic design work has progressed and a public meeting is set for March 19 to discuss the project design with residents.

January 2008
KCLS and Lorig & Associates staff are working together with Mithun Architects to complete schematic designs for the new library and mixed-use co-development project. Immediate next steps include finalizing negotiation of the development agreement between KCLS and Lorig & Associates, submitting plans for a site development permit to the City of Newcastle and requesting that the three contractor teams, who were selected as finalists, develop plans and cost estimates for the project.

November 2007
The City of Newcastle City Council recently held a public hearing about providing a tax incentive program for economic development. The Council authorized the City Manager to prepare an ordinance and code amendment to allow an eight-year property tax relief program to encourage more intensive development, including housing in the town center area. The KCLS Board of Trustees discussed the project at the Board Meeting on November 27, 2007 and approved moving forward with the mixed-use co-development project with Lorig & Associates.

October 2007
As directed by the KCLS Board of Trustees at the September 29 meeting, KCLS staff continues to explore the co-development proposal with Lorig Associates. A project plan is currently being developed to accommodate both a new library as well as 82 apartments. At the November Board meeting, the KCLS Board will be considering and reviewing further information on the mixed-use development.  No motion has yet been passed on whether to proceed with the stand-alone or mixed-use library.

September 2007
KCLS now has two development applications pending with the City of Newcastle. One is for a stand-alone library and parking, the second is a pre-submittal of the proposed mixed use development. The mixed use development would be a private/public partnership with Lorig Associates, who plan to build and operate an apartment complex. In addition to some potentially significant financial benefit to KCLS, the City Administration strongly favors this alternative as it would be seen as a positive development toward their vision for the City Center.

After hearing all information at the September 29 Board meeting,  the motion was passed for KCLS staff to continue the exploration of the co-development option and particularly, to address and offer further information to the Board of Trustees on the following topics:
-         expansion
-         parking
-         traffic circulation
-         dedicated disability units in the apartment complex
-         a market comparison with other developers
-         a guarantee of review of any legally binding document before finalization of that document
 
This information will be presented to the Board of Trustees at either the October or November Board Meeting, and further discussion will ensue.

Newcastle Board presentation, September 2007
- Conceptual rendering of mixed use library option

August 2007
KCLS received notice from the City of Newcastle’s Planning Department that the development application has been accepted for the site plan with a standalone library. Meanwhile, KCLS staff and attorneys have held discussions with Lorig Associates to determine what contracting agreements should be for a mixed-use development, including a library, on that site.

July 2007
The KCLS development application for a standalone library, site development and parking were submitted to the City and the project was vested under the existing development requirements. The land use sign is posted on the site through July to provide notice to the community. In addition, active discussions are occurring between KCLS and Lorig Associates to create a mixed-use development including the new library on the site, located at SE 129th Place and Newcastle Way SE. The current conceptual plans call for approximately 70 apartments, a 10,000-square-foot library, a small retail shop and required parking. We are in the early stages of planning and design.

View the preliminary floor plan and two renderings.
- Floor Plan
- North Elevation Rendering
- East Elevation Rendering

June 2007
A set of development plans for a standalone library was submitted to the City of Newcastle on June 4. In addition, KCLS is initiating development plans with Lorig Associates, LLC. At a recent public meeting held in Newcastle the public discussed the potential co-development option.

May 2007
Interviews with potential developers for the Duvall and Newcastle libraries have been completed. We are particularly interested in a proposal from the Lorig Company for a 70-unit residential complex with three decks of structured parking connected to our 10,000-square-foot library in Newcastle. During the next few months further investigation will be done to determine if this arrangement can be mutually beneficial. Lorig Company was recommended to us by the City of Newcastle. In addition to discussing a standalone library, staff talked in general about the co-development proposal at the public meeting in Newcastle held May 17. KCLS is pursuing both tracks in order to preserve the right to develop a standalone facility under the current zoning ordinance. The community was generally supportive of both possibilities. The overwhelming interest is to see the library built as soon as possible.

April 2007
Citizens continue to comment that the City of Newcastle’s revision of its downtown plan and subsequent zoning could jeopardize the new library. KCLS staff member Dri Ralph attended numerous Planning Commission and City Council meetings to represent KCLS’ interests. The Council is in the process of adopting new guidelines, but exempted KCLS from the measures. In the meantime, a developer has expressed interest in partnering with KCLS on the site of the new Newcastle Library. Because they approached KCLS after the initial cutoff for submittals, the deadline was extended to April 20, 2007. The goal is to attract a development partner to create a mixed use plan including the library and parking. The sharing of development costs with a larger development should provide a financial advantage to KCLS. Mithun Architects was selected earlier this year as KCLS’ architectural firm for the project. Since there is some ambiguity about the new zoning requirements, KCLS will proceed with the design process and submit the preliminary plans for a stand-alone library in order to vest under the old guidelines. Plans can be revised if the co-development process yields a suitable partner.

March 2007
KCLS staff has been in close contact with the City of Newcastle. The City’s moratorium on new projects in the downtown area ends in June. City staff is proposing changes to the zoning guidelines to require intense development in the central district. Unless KCLS can find a developer to partner with on the site, we will not be able to meet the City’s proposed guidelines. It may be necessary to accelerate the design process in order to submit a proposal to the City before the moratorium ends.

The Request for Real Estate Developers to co-develop the sites yielded no letters of interest. Instead, KCLS will work towards developing plans on the sites in these communities that leaves room on the site for another use. The architectural consultants were selected previously and will be asked to prepare schedules for each project.

February 2007
The Request for Qualifications was issued to attract a real estate developer to work with KCLS on this project. Letters of interest from developers are due March 15, 2007.

January 2007
KCLS staff has been working to prepare a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for developers for these projects. The goal is to work with a developer to gain maximum value for the community and for the library district.

November 2006
Representatives of the Newcastle area assisted KCLS staff select Mithun Architects to design the new Newcastle Library. Mithun Architects has already begun to gather the information needed to initiate a Request for Qualifications for developers to team with KCLS and provide the maximum development the area can sustain at this time.

October 2006
Architectural interviews were held on Friday, October 20, 2006. Two community representatives joined the KCLS staff, administration and a KCLS Trustees in determining the preferred consultant for the design work. Mithun Architects was selected as the preferred consulting team for the work. A contract will now be developed with the consultants outlining a schedule of public meetings and finalizing the preliminary project budget. A quote from the firm’s submittal describes the presentation quality that highlighted the work of the firm. “Mithun Architects is a 55+ year evolution of ideas, values, visions and people with one guiding inspiration: design excellence.” Mithun will be a valuable contributor in assisting KCLS in the development of the best possible project in Newcastle.

September 2006
KCLS advertised for qualification statements for consultant teams for the Newcastle Library project. KCLS received 15 qualified submittals. The process for Newcastle will be similar to Duvall with a short list of firms identified and interviewed by a panel of staff with community and KCLS Board representatives.

August 2006
The City of Newcastle has placed a moratorium on new projects in their downtown area until their zoning codes can be brought in line with their planning guidelines. The library was to be excluded from the moratorium; however, there was some uncertainty as to whether the new library could be developed as a mixed use project or if a second floor would be mandated since the library may or may not constitute an allowable substitute for retail activity. At the request of the Newcastle City Manager to update the Newcastle City Council on progress toward a new library and to raise questions about the moratorium requirements, KCLS staff testified at a public meeting about the moratorium. The Newcastle City Council was pleased to hear that KCLS is initiating the process to hire an architect, which will be chosen in September. Newcastle Mayor Jean Garber indicated that none of the issues KCLS raised were insurmountable.

July 2006
The City of Newcastle passed a moratorium on new developments in their central downtown area, in order to align their zoning and design guidelines with their planning goals. The new library, as a cultural institution, will be exempt from the moratorium. The architect selection process should begin in September with the help of community members and a representative from the City. The City has asked KCLS to provide an update on the development of their new library. When staff presents to the City Council, we will also update Newcastle officials regarding the cross-use study with the City of Renton since Newcastle is very close to Renton and many Renton residents shop in their central business district.

April 2006
Following last month’s Board Meeting, KCLS sent a letter to the City of Newcastle informing them of the Board’s site selection decision. KCLS offered to explore the possibility of co-locating with City Hall on the vacant library site. Mayor Jean Garber responded that the City Council voted not to pursue that course of action and will instead continue to work on their civic center project at the site of the present city hall. KCLS finalized the purchase of the property on 129th Avenue SE and anticipates the architect selection process will begin in September.

Board of Trustees Unanimously Approves Site Selection for Newcastle Library
Public Comments from the Site Selection Meeting held on March 21, 2006

March 2006
The site selection process for the new Newcastle Library has received a great deal of attention since the last Board meeting. The Newcastle City Manager sent out an e-mail to newspapers and elected officials that generated at least one story in the King County Journal. The City of Newcastle Planning Commission on Wednesday, March 15 and heard considerable discussion about the proposed sites. The City Council also held a special meeting on Monday, March 20 to discuss the sites. KCLS staff met with the City Manager, Mayor, a Council member and other City staff to review our “staff analysis” based on the KCLS’ Site Selection Criteria. Parts of the analysis were revised based on their input.

This staff analysis was presented at KCLS’ public meeting on Tuesday, March 21 at the Golf Club at Newcastle which was attended by more than 148 people. Several members of the community, as well as City officials, expressed varying degrees of support for both sites. Their comments are included in the Board packet. In addition, KCLS has received numerous letters from elected officials on the issue.

January 2006
KCLS is working with the City and LMN Architects to develop alternative views of a library on the site for which we have a purchase and sale agreement pending. The anticipated closing date is February 15, 2006. A survey and level one environmental review have been ordered for the vacant property.

November 2005
KCLS has a contract for vacant land in Newcastle! We have been working to complete this agreement during the past couple months and now have 90 days to complete due diligence.

September 2005
Over the course of this year numerous contacts have been made in the general vicinity of the intersection of Coal Creek Parkway and Newcastle Way. KCLS has been waiting for the City of Newcastle to make a determination on location of a new City Hall, but KCLS does not currently have alternative sites secured.

April 2005
KCLS has received the first appraisal reports for properties in Newcastle and have been discussing potential City participation in a joint development. The Mayor’s Blue Ribbon committee included a cross section of interested parties who will be called on to assist in developing the City’s plans for the commercial area.

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