The Central Arkansas Library Systems Main Library has been closed for a comprehensive $31 million restoration for almost two years. To find out more about the project’s condition and what to anticipate for the grand reopening in late September, the Arkansas Times took a hard-hat tour Wednesday morning, just two months before the CALS flagship branch opens to the public.
When we visited, the facility was in a quite disorganized state, and while there is obviously still a lot of work to be done, there is ample evidence of significant improvements. In order to create a welcoming openness when entering Main, the large staircase that was once anchored in the center of the first floor has been moved to the side. Accessibility to freshly envisioned spaces for kids and teens is another goal of the change. We were informed that a 69% increase in the amount of space devoted to family and child programming would be possible through a reallocation of the building’s capacity.
Even though Main’s total square footage hasn’t changed much, the refurbishment team has come up with some inventive methods to make the most of the available space. For instance, a computer lab and offices for library-based social workers will soon be located in the basement that was previously solely used for secondhand book sales. A sizable rooftop deck is also being planned to accommodate all of your relaxing requirements. Although we couldn’t see it, it seems like it might turn out to be the greatest spot to read a book in Little Rock’s downtown. “You could almost argue that the library has expanded from five stories to seven if you include those two developments,” one of our tour guides said.
Not to mention, Main will soon be home to a Boulevard Bread Company! The idea of having a dependable sandwich shop within walking distance is revolutionary for those of us who work downtown. Although Boulevard’s hours are still unknown, we were informed that having a separate entrance would enable the café to operate on a more flexible schedule than the library. There seems to be a lot to anticipate.
100 Rock St. was first built in 1920 as a warehouse for Fones Bros. Hardware. In 1997, it was converted into the CALS Main Library branch, marking the beginning of the River Market District’s revitalization. More information on the ongoing renovations can be found here. Additionally, view a slideshow of images of the ongoing construction taken by photographer Brian Chilson below:
It’s dragon-slaying time!
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