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Burton Barr Central Library to Remain Closed Until June 2018

Sad news for visitors of Burton Barr Central Library in downtown Phoenix, the library is set to remain closed until June 2018. This is due to the flood that occurred there on the night of June 15th.

Phoenix City Manager Ed Zuercher gave this latest update about the library. He also estimates $6 to $8 million will be the range for related repairs and renovations on the building.

The flagship of the Phoenix Public Library’s 17-branch system, Burton Barr Central Library opened in 1995 and was designed by Will Bruder, a Phoenix architect.


During a brief press meeting at the library on Friday, August 18th, Zuercher made the announcement alongside library representatives who included Lee Franklin, community relations manager for Phoenix Public Library.

Franklin has kept steady updates about the location to the public through the Phoenix Public Library website since the June 15th incident. Previous reports were given to patrons that the location would indefinitely be closed.

From early reports given, the flooding was caused by a monsoon storm with 50 mph winds lifting the roof partially that affected the sprinkler system implanted in it. The sprinkler system released water flooding the fifth floor. The water proceeded to travel down to every floor of the nearly 300,000-square-foot facility.

However, the exact cause and nature of damage is still at this time is being investigated.

Preliminary inspections have exposed some disturbing details that indicate substantial problems with the library’s sprinkler system such as broken air compressors and corroded piping.

In a report by Wiss, Janney, Eistner Associates Inc., an Illinois-based firm that specializes in investigating, analyzing, and designing repairs for historic and contemporary buildings these topics are detailed. The firm has been working with the library to determine probable causes and needed fixes.

The report from the firm clearly states the corroded pipes permitted water from the sprinkler system to leak into the west part of the building causing the most of the library’s losses.

Two questions come to mind from this: 1. Who knew about these problems? 2. Why weren’t these problems properly addressed?

From Burton Barr’s Central Library’s 500,000-piece collection, over 7,200 were damaged and discarded. Numerous books remaining have moved to other branches and numerous artwork is being stored offsite.

The building did suffer substantial damage that is still being assessed. Noticeable signs of the storm’s aftermath within the library consist of open drywall, concrete floors lacking carpet and remaining items wrapped in plastic.

Interior damage and a plan on repair and replacement work for the library are being done by Brycon Construction. Cost details and a timeline will be included with the plan.

Two big items that need to be replaced, besides books, furniture, and other items, have been identified by Wiss, Janney, Eistner prior to the library being able to reopen.

According to their report, the library will need a new roof and a new fifth-floor sprinkler system.

The cost of replacing the roof is expected to cost between $1.1 to $1.7 million with four to five months to install. The cost of replacing the fifth-floor sprinkler system is expected to cost between $600,000 and $700,000 taking about five or six months to install.

These repairs and renovations are only a part of what needs to happen to the library now.

Insurance issues and liability questions is what the city is having to deal with.

Inspection reports previously done by Tempe-based RCI Systems documented numerous problems the fire protection system Burton Barr Central Library had.

Both in August 2016 and May 2017, RCI Systems discovered pipes full of holes meaning they would leak if the system was tripped. They also found numerous other dynamics with the likelihood to flood the fifth floor and damage the library.

These elements are already being dealt with a written update by city manager Zuercher that was given on August 10th to Mayor Greg Stanton and the Phoenix City Council.

Here’s what has been done at this point:

  • The city’s law, public works and audit departments are assigned to review the fire suppression system and the roof to understand exactly what happened and why it did.
  • The city’s finance and law departments are working alongside the insurance company to address what parts of the loss insurance will cover.
  • The city’s budget and research department is working alongside the library department on keeping library services going and the expenses of restoring the building.

Any money needed beyond the funds provided by insurance will need approval from the City Council.

Zuercher says, maintenance records are being reviewed for all city buildings by the city.

Meanwhile, Phoenix Public Library is urging patrons to go to the 16 other locations. According to Lee Franklin, community relations manager for Phoenix Public Library, states that many of Burton Barr Central Library’ books, programs, and staff have been moved to these locations.

To help accommodate the temporary loss of Burton Barr Central Library, four branches of the library that are closest to the library’s location will begin having Sunday hours beginning on September 10th to help library patrons receive the library services they need. The four locations are Century, Harmon, Ocotillo, and Yucca.

More details and updates about the library will be posted on the Phoenix Public Library website.