COLUMBUS—Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) has kicked off construction of its new Linden Branch (2223 Cleveland Ave.) with a ceremonial “wallbreaking.” During today’s ceremony, the Nationwide Foundation announced a $1 million gift to the Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation in support of the new Linden Branch.
“Libraries are an important community anchor that encourage growth, development and lifelong learning,” said Chad Jester, President of the Nationwide Foundation. “Libraries need to have the resources and technology to support the changing needs of the community.”
Wallbreakers include:
The Honorable Lourdes Barroso De Padilla, Member, Columbus City Council
Dave Brown, Project Executive, Turner Construction
Ralph Carter, Founder and Executive Director, We Are Linden
Patricia Duckworth, Member, South Linden Area Commission
Chad Jester, President, Nationwide Foundation
Tom Katzenmeyer*, President & CEO, Greater Columbus Arts Council
Patrick Losinski, CEO, Columbus Metropolitan Library
Jennifer Massanova, President, Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation
Nuurto Matan, Linden Branch VolunTeen, Medina Middle School 8th Grader
The Honorable Ismail Mohamed, Representative, Ohio House of Representatives
Jonathan Moody, Chief Executive Officer, Moody Nolan
Brian Mooney, Vice President & General Manager, Turner Construction
The Honorable Emmanuel Remy, Member, Columbus City Council
De Lena Scales, Neighborhood Program Specialist, Department of Neighborhoods, City of Columbus
Catherine Strauss*, Managing Partner, Ice Miller LLP
Siobhan Thompson, Recreation and Parks Department, City of Columbus
Peggy Williams, Member, South Linden Area Commission
The Honorable Christopher Wyche, Member, Columbus City Council
* Columbus Metropolitan Library Board of Trustees member
To prepare for construction, the former Linden Branch closed on April 6. CML opened a temporary location at 1990 Jefferson Ave. on Monday, April 15. The temporary Linden Branch is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and closed Sunday.
The Linden Branch was built in 2004. The new two-level Linden Branch, to be built on the same site, will more than double the size of the current branch from roughly 12,700 square feet to approximately 27,000 square feet. Turner is the construction manager at risk and Moody Nolan is the architect.
Click here to learn more about CML’s Aspirational Building Program. Click here for additional CML press announcements and media resources.
