Martha Williamson and Alex Wesolovski opened Vega Civil Engineering in 2019 with the goal of partnering with architecture-led design teams to build projects that significantly impact their communities.

One example is the Williams & Russell Project, which aims to honor and enrich Portland’s Black community, create wealth and promote a healthier economy by providing affordable rental apartments and homeownership as well as business opportunities.

“We’ve been fortunate to work on over 50 affordable housing projects so far,” Williamson said, referring to Portland’s Dekum Court and Peaceful Villa, and Plambeck Gardens in Tualatin. “I feel grateful and lucky that at Vega we are able to work on such amazing projects.”

Vega also is working on the new East County Library in Gresham, which will feature a large auditorium with flexible seating for cultural celebrations, lectures, performances and family programs.

Williamson said she hopes to make an impact on the engineering industry not only by leading a woman-owned firm in a male-dominated profession, but also by fostering a company culture that celebrates its employees. Among several perks and amenities, Vega’s office is dog-friendly, stocked with an espresso machine, rotating snacks and drinks, and happy hour is provided every other week.

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An approximately 6,000-square-foot Multnomah County Library branch will soon receive improvements and grow to around 15,000 square feet.

Bora Architecture & Interiors designed the $28 million project for the Belmont Library, in Portland at 1038 S.E. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd. It’s one of several library upgrades made possible by voters’ approval of a $387 million bond measure in 2020.

Plans call for fully renovating the original, 100-year-old brick building and constructing a two-story addition to the north, along Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard. The building footprint will extend into the existing parking lot, but some short-term parking will be preserved.

The project team also includes structural engineer Valar Consulting Engineering, civil engineer Vega Civil Engineering and general contractor Howard S. Wright, a Balfour Beatty company. Construction is set to begin next month.

The Belmont Library is served by public transportation and lies along a bicycle route in a greenway on Southeast Taylor Street, Bora Architecture & Interiors principal Jeanie Lai said. As part of the project, bike parking will be increased. Also, the sidewalk along Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard will be widened to 15 feet to improve pedestrian access.

The original building’s exterior will be preserved, and wood trim will be repainted. Also, the building will be seismically upgraded to current building codes with all new systems. Interiors will be refreshed in accordance with the building’s original character.

“Belmont Library is a community gem, uniquely reflecting the vibrant spirit of Southeast Portland,” reads Bora’s design concept statement for the project. “Like a geode, its coppery-textured addition harmonizes with the exterior of the original 1924 building, while the light-filled, warm interior fosters well-being, creativity, and connection.”

The addition’s exterior will have reddish-copper-colored custom metal panels, while its interior will feature engineered glulam columns and beams, as well as cross-laminated timber panels.

Currently, the library does not have a lot of seating areas and is popular for holds. The design calls for increasing both seating areas and flexible community spaces to accommodate library programming, Lai said.

The original building will house the children’s collection, with an expanded interactive play area and a middle readers annex. The building will also include a public lactation room and an all-ages restroom.

The addition’s ground floor will feature a main entry leading into an open lobby envisioned as a community “living room,” Lai said. It will include staff areas and an automated book sorting machine. The second floor will house a large, open reading room with the library’s main collection, open computer stations, flexible community rooms, study spaces, various kinds of seating and a dedicated teen area.

“The west façade will showcase window seats and perches, a design feature that was inspired by community feedback,” Lai said.

The project went through an extensive community engagement process that involved 3,000 participants, Lai said. As with other Multnomah County Library projects, the organization hired community design advocates to connect with other community members and learn how the library could represent them. Focus groups, public meetings and surveys provided community input as well.

The library will close to the public on Sept. 7 so that construction can start. While work takes place, a temporary location at 3557 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd. will serve the community. Beginning Sept. 9, this branch will offer limited services, including holds/pickups, Lucky Day items, 24/7 book returns and free wireless printing.

The expanded library is scheduled to reopen in late 2025 or early 2026.

On the Boards is a 91��Ƶ feature offering a look at projects in Oregon and Southwest Washington being tackled by local architecture firms. To have your firm’s projects considered, contact 91��Ƶ reporter Hilary Dorsey at hdorsey@djcOregon.com.

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