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New Design for Petersburg Public Library System headquarters
The Foundation was formed in 2002 with a mission to provide financial support for the purchase, construction and operation of a new library. It is made up of 15 voluntary board members. Enteros Design, P.C. is a full-service architecture firm located at 314 Exchange Alley in Old Towne Petersburg. Firm President Gil Entzminger, AIA started Enteros Design in 2004 after moving to Petersburg and restoring his home on Jefferson Street with his wife Carolyn. Entzminger was attracted to Petersburg because of the “extraordinary historic architecture and character of Old Towne.” After visiting for the first time, Entzminger was determined to move to Petersburg, establish his firm in Old Towne and help revitalize the city. Entzminger brings to Enteros Design a wide range of commercial and residential experience that spans eight states and the District of Colombia. The firm’s name is derived from the prefix “ent” (to put into or within) and the first letters of the words “expression,” “rhythm,” “order” and “structure,” the characteristics, according to Entzminger, which Enteros Design strives to put into each and every design they create in order to increase human interaction and an emotional experience within the built environment. The Petersburg Library Foundation’s board selected Enteros Design after soliciting proposals in 2006 from a number of known and recommended architects for a project of this scope. From the firms that responded, the board interviewed three and chose Enteros Design for design of the new library. “My fellow Board members and I are proud to announce the selection of Enteros Design to design what will become the city’s largest public space,” said Robert C. “Bob” Walker, President, Petersburg Library Foundation. “Not only is the firm based in Petersburg and highly recommended, but through initial meetings with Gil and his staff we have already arrived at a design that will meet the citizens’ needs, fit within our budget and will surely become one of the architectural jewels of the city.” The Foundation had previously determined that a new, larger library facility must be secured in order to meet the needs of the city’s growing, diverse population and the challenges that come with increased program demands and new technologies. The new facility first and foremost must provide: much needed additional parking; more efficient heating, cooling and lighting; increased security; and larger spaces for collections, seating, computers, children’s programs, public meeting rooms and community resources. Additionally, it was determined that with a new library facility, an enhanced partnership should and could be fostered between the Petersburg Public Library and the Petersburg Public School System, as well as the civilian and military personnel at Ft. Lee. The new library facility will be located at the corner of Washington and Market streets at the former site of Crossroad Motors (formerly Petersburg Motors). Thanks to the generosity of former city councilman and Vice Mayor of Petersburg Larry Tucker, the Foundation was able to purchase the property owned by Tucker worth $1.4 million for only $400,000. The approximately three-acre site is the former location of Petersburg Motors, owned by Tucker. In order for the Foundation to take advantage of the gift, Petersburg City Council unanimously voted on September 19, 2006 to give the Foundation the necessary $400,000 to make the purchase. The new building architecture will have a monumental civic scale to be compatible with the adjacent historic churches. Natural materials such as wood, brick and stone will blend with the building fabric of Petersburg and create a warm and inviting interior. Large glass atrium spaces and window openings will allow natural light to fill the interior. Views in and out of these large glass walls will frame the building architecture and the surrounding community. The landscape surrounding the building will use indigenous planting materials to recreate natural habitats around the area. A cascading water feature is planned for the rear entry terrace to be symbolic of the falls of the Appomattox River. The new construction will be completed according to ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards, and offer a café and drive-thru service, among other amenities. Environmentally conscious building practices are being followed throughout the design, and the Petersburg Library Foundation intends for the building to become one of the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified buildings in the Tri-Cities area. According to Entzminger, “The new facility will create civic architecture worthy of Petersburg’s rich history, while providing the design and cultural amenities for our city’s future.” It is anticipated that construction will begin in summer 2008 and last approximately 18-24 months. The Petersburg Public Library System has been headquartered at the 13,000-square-foot William R. McKenney Branch at 137 S. Sycamore Street since 1924, when Clara J. McKenney donated it for use as a city library in memory of her late husband, William R. McKenney. The library system has two other branches: the Rodof Sholom Branch at 1865 S. Sycamore Street and the A.P. Hill Branch at 1237 Halifax Street. A study is currently underway to determine the feasibility of transforming the current William R. McKenney Branch into an archival facility. Important records that are now scattered throughout the community will be collected, accessioned and preserved in the archives. The building will be open to the public. For more information on the new library, to see the architect’s renderings of the new building or to take a virtual tour of the building’s exterior, visit plf-giving.org. More information can also be obtained by calling the Foundation at (804) 733-7815. To learn more about Enteros Design, visit enterosdesign.com or call (804) 861-1200. |
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The
Petersburg Library
Foundation has selected
local architectural firm
