Library Renovation

Background

The library’s renovation began pre-Covid with a series of meetings with Woodland Hills School District officials including the board president, superintendent and assistant superintendent; the executive director of the Allegheny County Library Association; the Swissvale library director and the CCMellor library director.

The question being examined was, what was the best solution to the library’s lack of accessibility and worn out facility?

Community Input

These conversations resulted in two community meetings, where attendees expressed their strong preference that the library (which is owned and operated by the Woodland Hills School District) be renovated rather than replaced. With that in mind, an architect and contractor already working with the school district began design work, and a grant writer was hired to begin sending out funding requests.

Covid

Then came COVID. Funders altered their direction of grant making, to allow for the increased financial needs of the community during COVID.

In response, we shifted our approach to state grants, which were still available for capital needs in communities. However, these grants are reimbursable, which requires us to pay contractor costs before applying for reimbursement, and straining our cash flow.

Consequently, it’s a challenge to continually meet this requirement and will continue to challenge us during Phase 2, as we seek $1.2M in working capital and matching funds.

The Team

The previous design team’s contract with Woodland Hills School District expired before renovation could begin. This gave library director, Kate Coluccio, the opportunity to seek a design team with specific knowledge of historic libraries.

Kate sought the advice of Ron Graziano, facilities manager at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, since CLP has done several successful renovations through the years.

Fall 2025

Phase 1 work has begun on the outside of the building. What’s being done now includes:

• Installing a new roof,
• Replacement of old sanitary and sewer lines,
• Replacement of the emergency exit from the basement,
• Relocating the memorials to street level at the corner of McClure and Monongahela,
• Redesigning McClure entrance for greater accessibility,
• Installing new front steps, and
• Cleaning and pointing the bricks and terra cotta tiles.

Spring 2026

We expect Phase 2 to begin in Spring 2026 and finish by the end of the year. The start date of Phase 2 is dependent on sufficient funding being raised. Phase 2 projects will include:

• The elevator and other inside accessibility features, including accessible restrooms,
• New HVAC and upgraded electrical service,
• Reconfigured lower and library level spaces, including lower level play area and multi-purpose meeting space, and library level children and teen spaces,
• Refurbished historic flagpole, and
• New landscaping for the front yard.