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Reference library redo

It’s not on the Pug Awards 2009 list of architectural hits and misses, but the Metro Reference Library, with all due respect to its creators, Moriyama and Teshima, has to rate as one of the most depressing buildings in the city – at least when viewed curbside.

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From Yonge Street looking south, its faceless, near windowless red-brick hump rises above the too narrow sidewalk like some monster from the deep.

The interior has its moments, but is there a more foreboding landmark building in the city?

The good news: the library is scheduled for a $30-million redo, the details of which will be released Thursday (May 7), when the mayor and minister of culture, Aileen Carroll, among others, will formally kick off of a fundraising effort spearheaded by the Toronto Public Library Foundation. It’ll be the Foundation’s first capital project.

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The revamp was first announced last December, but Thursday’s press conference is promising new funding from the private sector “including a significant lead donation from a notable donor.” More details of the reno, the first significant remake of the library since it opened more than four decades ago in 1977, will also be unveiled.

While it’s doubtful an overhaul of the façade can be pulled off without a major retooling, hopefully some kind of pedestrian magnet will be planned for the underutilized spaces along the sidewalks on the east and south faces of the building. Perhaps manufacturing some street life around the library entrance will create for it a presence on Yonge. Hmm. Could we be in for retail at street level?

What we know so far for sure: construction will take place over five years (the library will remain open during that time) the first phase will include an events space for conferences and large-scale community events Moriyama and Teshima architects have been hired for the redo.

Linda Mackenzie, Director of Research and Reference Libraries at Toronto Public Library, said at the time of the initial announcement back in December that: “Public libraries are vital to Toronto’s cultural and economic health, and Toronto Reference Library in particular is a cornerstone of city life. There is an increased appetite for cultural programming and live debate in Toronto and the library is responding to this demand with this project.”

We’re keeping our fingers crosses. Check this space Friday for an update and visuals of the proposal.

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