Almonte Library

[Pete]

The current Almonte Library is operating in the Almonte Shopping Center on the SW corner of SW 59th and May.

Plans have been filed to build a brand new 20,000 square foot library on vacant land on the NE corner of that same intersection.

[Ward]

Good! Glad to see that.

[SouthSide]

Have they announced the budget?

[Pete]

Have they announced the budget?

About $6 million.

[bombermwc]

This one is super close to Southern Hills? I'm definitely in favor, but it does seem weird that they are so near each other in way we do not have proximity in any other part of the city.

[SouthSide]

Southern Oaks Library would be the closest. The Almonte location was opened as temporary location when Southern Oaks was being remodeled. The Almonte location attracted a lot of new patrons which lead to the decision to keep it open. I think the city/library system could use this same model to identify other locations for libraries. Public transportation is very limited in this part of town and a short distance further south while still OKC is Cleveland County which is Pioneer library system. These are not large libraries.

[midtownokcer]

This one is super close to Southern Hills? I'm definitely in favor, but it does seem weird that they are so near each other in way we do not have proximity in any other part of the city.

SouthSide explained it in a post already, but the MLS gained 5,000+ new library cardholders while it served as a temp location for Southern Oaks while it was being remodeled. No brainer to keep it open; It's been in operation for over a decade now.

An area that could really use a library or a storefront library is somewhere north of Downtown. Uptown/23rd, Plaza, or Paseo. This library would serve some of the most dense parts of the city without people having to travel 2+ miles to get to Downtown, Ralph Ellison, or Belle Isle.

[HOT ROD]

agree midtowner about the need for an inner city library in the uptown area.

I'd love to see the Gold Dome repurposed for that reason, complete with an Asian focus area and perhaps some frontage shoppes.

[Brett]

I drove by the new Almonte library location the other day and noticed that the cinder block walls are being placed and beginning to get taller.

[Pete]

Construction is well underway for the new Almonte Library near SW 59th and May.

The 20,000 SF Almonte Library will connect the diverse community it serves with the necessary resources and experiences to educate and enrich lives.

Design by ADG/Blatt.

[Pete]

[josefromtulsa]

Thanks for the update! I am glad the city is investing in the southside and in the community. From my personal experiences growing up in a migrant family we were big users of the library for the books and internet access.

Shoutout to libraries everywhere and particularly Maxwell and Martin Regional in Tulsa.

[Brett]

All of the walls are in place and the roof has been installed on the new library.

[SouthSide]

Read that there have been delays on this project impacting the opening. Ayone have any insight on the cause of the delays (contractor, supply chain)?

[Brett]

The library is slowly coming along. The pouring of concrete for the entrance/exit into the library is one obvious project that still needs to be completed. My guess is early 2024 for the grand opening.

[Pete]

Holy cow, this has taken years.

[SouthSide]

The Senior Wellness Center (#4) has been under contruction for over two years and it wouldn't surprise me if it takes 3 years at this rate.

[Brett]

I drove by the library yesterday. The parking lot has finally been completed. More tradesmen who have pickup trucks were parked there. I assume that they are finishing up the interior. I noticed a window installer installing the last windows for the exterior. What little landscaping there is seems to have been addressed.

[Brett]

I spoke with a Metropolitan Library System employee who said that the grand opening for the Almonte library is scheduled for Wednesday May 15th, 2024.

[Boop]

I spoke with a Metropolitan Library System employee who said that the grand opening for the Almonte library is scheduled for Wednesday May 15th, 2024.

Nice! I am looking forward to it, from what I see from the pictures, it looks like a very nice library!