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The Portland Historic Landmarks Commission on Monday approved a project team’s plans to seismically upgrade and expand the Albina Library.

The library opened in 1912 at 216 N.E. Knott St., thanks to property and financial gifts from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, according to the Multnomah County Library District‘s website. The library has moved multiple times, but it returned to its current location and reopened following in August 2021.

In 2020, Multnomah County voters approved a $387 million capital bond measure for library improvements. Some of that money is going to the Albina Library project, which includes an approximately 22,800-square-foot addition, according to Liz Sauer, communications manager for Library Capital Bond Projects.

The project site includes two properties: the existing 7,814-square-foot library facing Knott Street and the Isom Operations Center (slated for demolition) at 205 N.E. Russell St. The library’s rear facade received a series of additions – including a warehouse and a garage – in the 1960s and ’70s. Those will be removed.

A new operations center will be constructed at 221 N.E. 122nd Ave. Hennebery Eddy Architects is designing that project, which is expected to wrap up in fall 2023.

Work will include repair and restoration of the historic windows and restoration of the rear facade. The addition will include library and community spaces, as well as library administration offices, with an entrance from Russell Street that will connect to a pocket of restaurants and retail spaces. New features will include an outdoor courtyard, large community/meeting rooms, expanded study spaces, a dedicated teen room, updated technology and internet service, and new art that represents the community.

LEVER Architecture is the project’s architect. Andersen Construction is the contractor.

Building modifications proposed during Monday’s meeting include extending the allowed length of the building that does not meet the 10-foot maximum setback along Russell Street, adjusting the location and size of the vehicle area so that 77 percent of frontage is vehicle area and loading space, and reducing the minimum drive aisle width from 20 feet to 12 feet at the south end of the parking area to accommodate a loading space.

The project team wanted to make a direct link between the existing library and the expansion, LEVER Architecture Chandra Robinson said, so they will connect at floor level. Also, the addition was designed to tuck behind the original structure and not detract from it.

The commission approved the proposal, including the modifications and a condition for final design of the existing library’s rear facade. The project team is planning to seek a type I building permit.

Albina Library will close temporarily in spring 2023 to allow construction to begin. The expansion is scheduled to finish in fall 2024.