The Hyde Park library is closed for renovations and the branch is operating in temporary quarters at the Hyde Park Plaza.
Upgrades to the 110-year-old library at 2747 Erie Ave. in Hyde Park Square were to begin next year.
But the schedule was moved up to accommodate a developer building shops and apartments next door at the corner of Erie and Michigan avenues.
Falling Leaves, LLC, of Hyde Park, needed to tear up the library’s parking lot for a sewer connection to its five-story project on the former site of the Hyde Park Baptist Church, which was razed. The parking lot is to be restored with improvements when the work is done.
The temporary Hyde Park library branch will operate at 3764 Paxton Ave. until renovations are complete at the Erie Avenue library, which is expected to be in mid-2023.
First major improvements since the 1970s
“These are the first improvements/renovations since the 1970s - and ones that will make our branch finally accessible, more open and better able to serve our community,” Janet Buening, a trustee of the Hyde Park Neighborhood Council, said.
“Library leadership decided to fast-track the internal renovations to minimize impact on the community.”
The Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library’s facility master plan says upgrades at the Hyde Park branch are to include:
- An inviting front entrance with open views to both floors.
- Flat, stairless entrances.
- A new, large elevator.
- Fully accessible restrooms.
- New flooring, paint and furniture.
- Increased natural light.
- An updated fish tank.
- An expanded rear parking lot.
Branch hours, staffing levels and services will remain the same. Computers, Wi-Fi and free printing are available.
"The renovation of our historic location on Erie Avenue is incredibly exciting. We're so thankful for our customers’ love for our branch and their feedback on the improvements to come,” Hyde Park Branch Manager Ben Lathrop said on the library website.
Retail-apartment development coming to Hyde Park Square
Meanwhile, the building being developed by Falling Leaves in Hyde Park Square is to include three retail spaces on the ground floor and 14 to 20 high-end apartments on the floors above.
Falling Leaves owns another retail-apartment building on the square, at 2633 Erie Ave.
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