County selects architect, contractor for new library
San Diego County Library announced today that a design-build team of contractors and architects has been selected to design and construct the new library branch in Ramona.
The County of San Diego selected the firm of C.W. Driver as the project’s general contractor. The firm of Ferguson Pape Baldwin was selected as architect of record, with Manuel Oncina Architects as the interior designer.
The team will begin meeting with county officials to formulate and finalize the design of the 20,200-square-foot library at Main and 13th streets and will develop the schedule for groundbreaking and construction. Opening date is tentatively targeted for the fall of 2010.
The library will be part of the proposed Ramona Intergenerational Community Campus at 1349 Main Street, which is envisioned to also include a senior center, childcare and teen facilities, and connect to the Santa Maria Greenway Park.
“For the people of the Ramona, this historic day is one for the books, literally,” said San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Dianne Jacob, who represents the community of Ramona on the board. “Congratulations to Elyse Kuhn and the Friends of the Library and everyone who worked so hard to turn the dream of a new community library into a reality,” Jacob said. “We’re all looking forward to the shovels hitting the dirt!”
The new libary will replace the library in the county complex at 1406 Montecito Road and will meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver criteria for sustainable design and reducing environmental impact while increasing the energy and operations efficiency of the building.
“We’re delighted with the progress on this outstanding community amenity that will lay the cornerstone for the seminal Ramona Intergenerational Center,” said County Library Director José Aponte. “This is a project that will give back to our communities for generations to come.”
Design-build is a construction project delivery system where the design and construction aspects are contracted with a single builder or contractor. The architect and general contractor serve on the same team to provide the product. The benefit is increased efficiency and communication, and a shorter construction schedule.