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.

JULY 2025 – JUNE 2026

Phase 1 – the outside part – is nearly complete:

• Roof replaced.
• Roof parapet repaired.
• New curb cut-out on McClure for safe patron drop-off.
• New front steps completed.
• New concrete pad for the monuments completed.
• Front yard more open and spacious.
• Sewage/water system upgrades completed.
• Outside of the building, cleaned and repointed, including terra cotta trim.

After a delay due to heavy snow and ice, exterior work WILL BE COMPLETE IN JUNE OF 2026

Summer 2026

Phase 2 is slated to start in August, 2026, and will include:

• The elevator (!)
• Accessible restrooms
• Grand stairway from lower to upper levels.
• New HVAC system
• Increased electrical capacity for staff and patrons