Library buys property

On December 18, the Dayton Metro Library Board of Trustees approved an agreement to purchase a site for a new Library to serve the East Dayton/Riverside communities. The new facility will be constructed across the street from the current Burkhardt Branch Library, at 4704 Burkhardt Avenue where the Columbian Hall now stands. It is anticipated that the current Library Branch will be razed and the site converted to parking for the new Library.

The new $8.7 million project for the northeast side of Dayton will create a Library more than double the size of the current Branch.

“The Burkhardt Branch Library has been an anchor to the east Dayton and Riverside communities for nearly 60 years,” said Executive Director Tim Kambitsch. “We are pleased to be able to continue to serve patrons from that area right next door.”

The community will be invited to share goals and aspirations for their new Library at Community Forums with Levin Porter Architects, planned to begin in early spring. Shook Construction will be the Construction Management Firm. It is anticipated that the new Branch will open in early 2022.

To date, twelve Dayton Metro Library locations have been completed in the Libraries for a Smarter Future project, made possible by voter support of a $187 million bond issue in 2012. Including the Burkhardt Branch, five projects remain. A new Trotwood Branch Library is scheduled to open this spring.

For more information, visit DaytonMetroLibrary.org or call 937-463-2665.

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