Denver committee to consider $3 million design contract for two libraries, Montbello plaza
The proposed agreement would cover design work for projects with combined budgets of $24.7 million, including building-system upgrades at Montbello Branch Library.
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Denver’s Parks, Art and Culture Committee is scheduled to consider a $3 million contract Oct. 6 to design renovations at two libraries and a shade plaza in Montbello.
The proposed agreement would hire Handprint Architecture Inc. to design the projects using Vibrant Denver GO Bond 2026B funds. The city’s contract request lists the contract amount as $3,005,589.87, a term through March 15, 2030, from contract execution, and a 21% Minority/Women-owned Business Enterprise participation commitment. The request says the firm was selected through a competitive process.
The projects have separate budgets of $12.3 million for Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library and Museum, $10.9 million for Montbello Branch Library and $1.5 million for the Montbello Civic Center Park shade plaza, according to the city’s project presentation. Those budgets total $24.7 million and are separate from the design contract; the presentation does not allocate the design fee among the projects.
At Blair-Caldwell, the design would address the second-floor research library, third-floor museum and workspaces, elevator and restrooms, and climate controls for special collections. At Montbello Branch, the scope includes aging building systems such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and plumbing, along with updates to community and staff spaces, restrooms, the entrance and technology. The park project would create a shaded gathering space with seating and improve accessible routes and walkways.
The city’s projected schedule calls for discovery, existing-conditions work and preliminary engagement in late 2026, followed by design and continued community engagement through 2027. Construction is planned from the second quarter of 2028 through the fourth quarter of 2029, with substantial completion targeted for the fourth quarter of 2029. These are planned dates.
The city says the projects are bundled to coordinate engagement, share design resources and limit disruption to library operations. Its presentation says Montbello Branch must close because of inadequate HVAC, despite serving as a summer cooling center.
The official Legistar entry lists Resolution 26-1452 for committee consideration at the Oct. 6 meeting; the proposed contract has not yet been approved by the committee.