Modernization of Historic Carnegie-Era Libraries Underway

Two Carnegie public library branches in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania will undergo extensive modernization, while also retaining the historic character of each.

Working in conjunction with Rebuild Philadelphia and DIGroup Architecture, general contractors Pride Enterprises and TN Ward Company, respectively, recently broke ground for the reconstruction of these early 20th century-era buildings: the $13.2-million Carnegie-funded Paschalville (circa 1915) and the $8.5-million Blanche A. Nixon Cobbs Creek (circa 1925) library branches.

Serving the Paschalville, Elmwood and Cobbs Creek neighborhoods, these important community anchors are a key resource for local students and workforce development. Like many historic places, the libraries required a site, structure, health and life safety analysis that included an ADA/code compliance review, zoning analysis and historic designation review, all of which were part of the facility conditions assessment conducted by the project teams.

Construction is expected to be completed by year end at both buildings.

Philadelphia’s Rebuild Program is the catalyst for historic investment in public spaces across the city. Unique in nature, the Rebuild Program involves user groups and/or nonprofit organizations with deep neighborhood roots that serve as developers responsible for the execution and completion of important projects to their immediate-area community.

Photos courtesy of DIGroup Architecture