Construction has begun at the Rockwell Branch. The branch will receive a building expansion as well as interior remodeling of the existing space, all part of the Library's master plan to enhance services at branch locations.
The expansion phase began with a groundbreaking ceremony on July 18, 2024. The first phase of construction calls for building an addition. In the second phase, the interior of the original facility will be remodeled. The entire project is expected to be finished in late spring 2025.
The project includes extensive renovations, particularly to the children's room. It will expand the current meeting room while adding smaller meeting and study spaces. Other features new to Rockwell include a teen section and a drive-up window for picking up requested materials. The iconic fireplace will remain and a small "living room" will be built around it.
Updates
- December 20, 2024: Structural beams for the new addition have begun to come up. Exterior brick has been removed from the areas of the building that will be added onto.
- November 22, 2024: Vapor barrier, rebar, conduit, and floor boxes have been installed in the new addition.
- November 1, 2024: Work has focused on preparing the ground for the foundation of the new addition.
- October 18, 2024: Work has included demolition of some exterior walls in preparation to pour new footings.
We're adding photos of the Rockwell branch construction project to our Digital Archives site.
Visit the Digital Archives
Interactive Floor Plan Comparison
The addition to the building's north and east sides will bring the Rockwell branch from 9,604 square feet to 16,054 square feet. Use the slider to compare the existing interior space to the new floor plan.
A Materials return
B Drive-up window (existing: curbside pickup)
C Customer service desk
D Children's area
E Teen space
F Meeting and study spaces
Artwork
Artists are being selected to create works at the Alford, Angelou, and Rockwell branches. Funding comes from the Percent for Art Ordinance and the City of Wichita's Capital Improvement Plan. In 2019, the Wichita City Council approved an ordinance that allotted 2 percent of capital improvement funds to a pool of funding allocated for the commissioning of on-site artworks that then become part of the citywide art collection. The administration of the Percent for Art Program is overseen by the Design Council, an 11-member advisory board.
Artwork at the Rockwell branch will include:
- Teen Window Graphics: Brightly-colored translucent window graphics define this area as separate from the rest of the library
- Artwork Above Fireplace: Wall art mounted above the fireplace to enhance the warm, inviting "living room."
- Children's Mural: Colorful mural above the shelves on the new east wall of the children's room
- Community Meeting Room Artwork: An art installation with a nod to the region or community
- Entry Lobby Artwork: A welcoming, engaging art installation seen by patrons coming into the newly expanded meeting room
- Outdoor Sculpture: A dynamic, eye-catching sculpture located to the north of the building
Applications for artists closed on September 13, 2024. Final selection of artists is expected to take place in October 2024, with design and fabrication of works to follow.
Exterior Renderings
