Concept to Completion: A Tale of Tenacity in Small Community Architecture

Rendering of the Flora M. Laird Memorial Library Expansion & Renovation 

Building projects do not happen overnight. Indeed, many only unfold over a protracted period, shaping and reshaping themselves as functional needs evolve and the vicissitudes of the construction marketplace dictate. I’ve been involved in several such projects, one of which—the expansion and renovation of the Flora M. Laird Memorial Library in Myrtle Point, Oregon—was more than two decades in the making. I attended its grand reopening celebration this past Friday, the deeply satisfying culmination of an epic journey for one small community’s library. 

The City of Myrtle Point initially retained my firm, Robertson/Sherwood/Architects, in November of 2002 for the purpose of designing a new building to replace its aging and undersized public library. The modest mid-century Modernist design was originally constructed in 1953 in accordance with plans developed by Max P. Williams & Robert B. Martin, Architects of Portland, and William A. Coffindaffer of Coos Bay. The building originally accommodated about 2,000 square feet of floor area, and subsequently expanded in 1984 by an additional 1,500 square feet, primarily to accommodate a conference room, staff workspaces, and the Children’s collection. Harlan/Miller Associates pc of Coos Bay prepared the design for that expansion. 

Our charge back then was to assist the City with the evaluation of alternative sites for the construction of the new library; however, after studying the assorted options, we concluded that none of the available properties ticked all the necessary boxes. 

The City identified another development option in March of 2004. This prospect ambitiously proposed the vacation of 5th Street between the existing Flora M. Laird Memorial Library and Myrtle Point’s City Hall for the purpose of constructing a new 6,657 SF addition connecting both buildings. The City found the concept appealing because it would address program needs for both facilities, while additionally keeping the Library in its familiar location. Furthermore, such a project would retain a sound existing asset, a more cost-effective strategy than constructing the equivalent new space from scratch. 

The 2004 "Civic Center" concept.

We characterized our resultant design as a new “Civic Center” for Myrtle Point, with aspirations as lofty as the moniker suggested. Alas, budget constraints loomed large. The 2004 estimate of the probable construction cost exceeded $3 million, which at the time was far more than could be matched by fundraising efforts. The City had no recourse but to place the project on hold and recalibrate its hopes for an expanded and modernized library. 

We updated the project’s cost estimate in 2006 and once more in 2008. Additional years would pass before we received a call from the City in 2014 to resume design work on a reduced scope option that omitted the improvements and expansion directly associated with the City Hall. We abandoned the idea of closing off 5th Street entirely, instead limiting the roadway to a single lane of traffic to provide the real estate necessary to accommodate the desired library program area. The new design reduced the area of new construction to half that of the 2004 scheme, but due to inflation the estimated cost remained virtually unchanged. Once again, the City shelved the project. 

Fast forward to 2020. The City and the Myrtle Point Library Foundation were determined to make the library expansion a reality, albeit in a significantly abridged form. The diminished program included a new Oregon Collection Room, a new main entrance vestibule, a covered outdoor reading patio, removal of barriers to accessibility (including provision of a new ADA-compliant restroom), refurbishment of the building’s exterior envelope, replacement of existing light fixtures with new energy-efficient LED fixtures, and interior repainting and replacement of ceiling and floor finishes. The total budget for the scaled-back design would be $850,000.00. 

This is the project we see today. It may not possess the grandeur of the initial concept, but it stands as a testament to the resilience, adaptability, and spirit of Myrtle Point’s citizenry. The project weathered the storms of budget constraints, shifting needs, and the passage of time. The most meaningful projects do not always adhere strictly to the initial blueprint but instead adapt and evolve, doing as much as possible to serve the needs of the people they are designed for. The expansion and renovation of the Flora M. Laird Memorial Library certainly fits this bill. 

View looking toward the new covered reading patio (left) and the new main entrance (center).

A barbershop quartet provided entertainment for the grand reopening celebration.

The new Oregon Collection Room.

Guests at the reopening celebration decorated tiles for installation in the renovation of the existing public restroom. 

The reinstalled building signage.

There is a profound sense of responsibility that comes with working on projects for a small municipality like Myrtle Point. I developed a connection with the folks there over the years. I felt accountable to them, and wanted to go the extra mile to ensure the expanded and renovated library would not only be aesthetically pleasing but functional, sustainable, and in harmony with the community ethos. 

As I wrote in my Architecture is Awesome #33 post, there are few things more rewarding for me as an architect than witnessing the genuine smiles and expressions of delight from clients and user groups upon first enjoying a project I had a hand in designing. Happy smiles and thanks for a job well-done were in abundance during the grand reopening celebration for the Flora M. Laird Memorial Library. Architects impact lives in many profound ways, most significantly by helping others. Friday evening validated my decision to become an architect and served as a powerful reminder of why I do what I do.