Loussac Library Remodel Underway

Current view on left, finished product on right.

The much detested elevated entrance to the Loussac Library has finally been reduced to rubble. Those who followed closely may know that getting rid of the flawed entrance had long been a priority among the staff at the Loussac as well as the city government. Built in 1986 with the rest of the library, the flawed entrance consisted of steps that went up to the second level and led to a little plaza from which you can access the main entrance. Nevermind that it's kind of strange that the main entrance was on the second floor, what really earned it the disapproval of many was the danger it posed in the winter. With the steps constantly getting smothered in ice each winter, the library later added a canopy over the middle section of the stairway at the turn of the century. But that too wasn't enough to reduce the hazard of the stairway. From my own personal memory, I recall an incident several years ago when a youth sliding down the rail injured himself and had to go to the hospital. Replacing the elevated entrance will be a ground-level entry in which people simply cross the road and enter through a modern glass facade. Meanwhile from what I understand, extensive remodeling will be carried out inside the building as well (it could sure use it). 

Loussac Library Secures Funding, Renovation Gets the Green Light

Rendering by RIM Architects.

Local media is reporting that the Loussac Library in midtown will go forward with renovation construction in the spring of 2015 thanks in part to a $10 million grant from the Alaska Legislature made during the recent session. Combined with other funds, the library has $15 million total to make the project go forward. Staff at the library have been seeking since 2007 to replace the elevated plaza due to the treacherous stairs that get icy in the winter. I've known their concerns myself for I had previously talked about this back in 2009. Besides eradicating the elevated space, another desire was to get rid of the road that goes through the library (and for which the elevated plaza acted as a bridge so people didn't have to cross the road). Without an elevated space, I think it makes sense to lose the through-road in the name of safety. You may have remembered that the library had its renovation project on the ballot in this April's election, however, the prop lost by a razor thin margin. Many blame the fact that the library's renovation wishes shared the same ballot measure which also called for a new Mulchahey Stadium and improvements to the city's golf course in south Anchorage. Not many were sympathetic to a new baseball stadium and improved golf course, and for that, I don't blame voters. Here's a short list of the new features to come with the renovation.  

Prop 5 in Profile: New Loussac Library entrance

As everyone knows by now what with all the illegally placed campaign signs lining up the roads across town, everyone and their mother will be on this Tuesdays ballot for mayor. But the mayoral race isn't all that is up for vote next week. Besides our 1600 candidates running for City Hall, Prop 5 for library funding is among the more interesting props up for vote. Besides proposing a new library branch for Downtown (which is awesome), the proposition also seeks funding to totally redo the entrance of the Loussac Library. Gone would be the stairs, the skybridge connecting to the Alaska Collection, and the drive through/drop off. In place of the stairs would be a ground level atrium with a large curtain of glass smartly facing towards the south while the road that goes through the library will no longer connect to Denali but would instead become a circular drop off surrounded by a new plaza that better links the library to the fountain.

Renderings of the new library proposals (PDF)

As for my mayoral predictions, this Tuesday will only be the filtering of the candidates. Failing to reach the 45% threshold, expect Croft and Sullivan signs to remain.