Tempe Gets a Makeover

While modest in budget, the Tempe Library and Historical Museum renovations bring new life to old buildings.

The Tempe Historical Museum’s former entryway (below) was demolished and replaced by an aluminum and glass storefront (above) with 72 LED lights that are programmed to wash the facade in four different colors. A 10-ft by 40-ft graphic scrim invites visitors to enter.

Photo: Brignall Construction

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Tight budgets didn’t restrain creativity during the concurrent renovations of the $8-million Tempe Public Library and the $3.5-million Tempe Historical Museum.

Color and light were used to enhance the public’s experience in both facilities, which are located on the same corner of Southern Avenue and Rural Road.

While it was coincidence that the two side-by-side projects went under the knife at the same time, “logistically it was relatively convenient despite the fact that the two contractors have to share limited space for their layout yards and storage,” says Tempe project manager Scott Balck.

Voters passed an $8-million bond issue to renovate the three-level library’s interior, which meant construction, design fees and furniture, fixtures and equipment had to fit within the budget.

“They weren’t getting a dollar more, so we tried to maximize everything we possibly could,” says Glenn Kubricky, project director with Tempe-based general contractor Okland Construction.

The library opened in September 1989, after it moved from its previous location, which became the Tempe Historical Museum in 1991.

“Even though the building is only 20 years old, things have changed quite dramatically since the late 80s in terms of technology,” says Bill Williams, AIA, partner with Tucson architect Engberg Anderson. “We had to seamlessly incorporate more technology, wiring and
in-floor power and data into the building now that they’ll have over 150 computers for public use.”

Because the first-floor slab is post-tensioned concrete, any drilling of holes for additional cabling adds complications.

“You have to be careful to miss all those tendons so you don’t have a structural failure on your hands,” Williams says.

The busy library sees over a million visitors each year, so it was essential that it remain open during the renovation, which began in July.

“As the economy gets worse, library use picks up,” Balck says. “We’ve got a good contractor who came up with a functional and efficient plan that did not disturb operations as much as anyone thought.”