Denver committee advances $3 million design agreement for two libraries, Montbello park

Denver’s Parks, Art and Culture Committee voted 7-0 on Oct. 6 to advance for filing a proposed $3,005,589.87 design-services agreement for renovations at two libraries and improvements at Montbello Civic Center Park, the committee’s minutes record.

The design work covers the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library & Museum, Montbello Branch Library and a shade plaza at Montbello Civic Center Park. The three projects have separate budgets totaling $24.7 million: $12.3 million for Blair-Caldwell, $10.9 million for Montbello Branch and $1.5 million for the park, according to the city’s project presentation. That total is separate from the design agreement.

The proposed agreement with Handprint Architecture Inc. sets a maximum of $3,005,589.87: up to $2,601,220.25 for basic services, $158,186 for reimbursable expenses and $246,183.62 for pre-approved additional services. It includes a 21% minority- and women-owned business participation goal. Payments would be subject to annual appropriation and encumbrance. The draft anticipates a Nov. 10, 2026, notice to proceed and a term through March 15, 2030, if mutually executed, the proposed agreement says.

Montbello Branch is expected to close during construction. A Denver Public Library official told the committee that two bookmobiles had been moved from southeast Denver to serve Montbello while the branch is closed. Bond Office staff described the bundled projects’ tentative construction window—from the second quarter of 2028 through the fourth quarter of 2029—as a worst-case forecast, during the committee discussion.

The committee’s action is not final City Council approval; the Legistar matter history showed no Council final-action date as of Oct. 15.