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Carey Needham
Director, Capital Facilities

Department Resources

Vienna-Carter (formerly Patrick Henry) Library

Project Number: LB-000015

Project Update: May 20, 2024

On February 14, 2024 Fairfax County Public Library Board of Trustees voted to rename the new Patrick Henry Library to be the Vienna-Carter Library, upon its opening. To learn more about the history behind the new name, visit Vienna-Carter Library: Board of Trustees Votes New Name for Rebuilt Library Facility.


Project Background

In 2020, Fairfax County voters approved a Library bond referendum for the renovation, and upgrades to four community and regional libraries including Patrick Henry Community Library. Patrick Henry Library is one of the busiest community libraries, operating at the level of a small regional library. The library was constructed in 1971 and renovated in 1995. The building systems and infrastructure are well beyond the end of their life cycle, and the layout of the library does not meet the current and future operational needs of the library. The existing site includes 62 surface parking spaces. Based on a traffic study and parking analysis conducted to accommodate the current and future needs of the library, the number of parking spaces is required to be increased to 125. Additionally, the Town of Vienna has identified a need for additional public parking in downtown. The Town and County are currently under a joint development agreement that includes public parking in addition to Library parking.

Project Description

Replacement of the existing Patrick Henry Library with an approximately 19,000 SF one-story library and a 209-space four-level parking structure on the existing site. The proposed facility will include a state-of-the-art library space that will support the current and future programmatic and operational needs of the library users and staff, an outdoor reading and gathering space, and a flexible community space that will be open during and after library business hours. The garage will provide 125 parking spaces for the library users and staff, and an additional 84 parking spaces for the public. The project has a goal to achieve a minimum of LEED Gold certification, 50% energy reduction over current ASHRAE standards, Net Zero energy design and will utilize all electrical systems and equipment. The project includes Photovoltaic (PV) panel system and Geothermal heating and cooling to reduce energy consumption and achieve Net Zero energy.

Rendering photo: Patrick Henry Library

Project Location

The project is located at the prominent corner of Maple Avenue and Center Street (101 Maple Avenue, Vienna, Virginia), with a bus stop along the frontage of the library along Maple Avenue. The site is surrounded by retail properties in the Northeast, Northwest, and Southwest. Vienna Elementary School is located immediately Southeast of the site.

location map: patrick henry library

Project Phase

Currently, the project is in the Design phase.

Project Benefits

  • The PHL is one of the busiest community libraries and operates at a small regional library level. The proposed library and garage building will provide state-of-the-art upgrades to meet the current and future library needs. The project will also provide an outdoor gathering place for the community.
  • The project is aiming to achieve Net Zero energy by employing various environmentally sustainable strategies such as on-site renewable energy through geothermal heating and cooling, photovoltaic panels, skylights in the main library space, and enhanced building envelop for energy efficiency.
  • Through the partnership with the Town of Vienna, the project will provide for 84 public and commuter parking spaces for residents and visitors. The addition of the commuter parking will encourage use of public transportation and contribute towards reduction of traffic.

Timeline

The design of the facility will continue through the fall 2024. The project is scheduled to be advertised for construction bids by late fall of 2024. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2025 with occupancy in winter of 2026.

What to Expect

The existing library building will be closed 4-6 months prior to the commencement of construction to allow the library assets to be moved out of the facility. Fairfax County Public Libraries (FCPL) will provide a temporary library facility with limited service during the permanent PHL facility’s closure. Details of the location and service will be provided to the public in advance.

Project Cost and Funding Source

Funding for the Patrick Henry Library was approved in the 2020 Library Bond Referendum for $23 million. The Town of Vienna, through a Design and Construction Agreement with Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will provide up to $5.64 million for their share of the project costs. Due to the current market conditions, the overall project cost increased. Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) requested an increase to the existing financial contribution by the Town of Vienna towards their share of the construction cost. On December 4, 2023, the Vienna Town Council unanimously approved to increase the Town’s share by $590,000.

Presentations to the Community

To date, DPWES has provided the following project updates to the community and to the Vienna Town Council:

  • June 13, 2022 – Preliminary Concept Design Options presentation to the Vienna Town Council
  • July 27, 2022 – Project update to the Town Council including responses to Community questions.
  • September 1, 2022 – Project façade design presentation to the Vienna Board of Architectural Review.
  • September 12, 2022 – Project design presentation, incorporating the Town of Vienna Board of Architectural Review (BAR) recommendations to the Town Council, received Town Council vote on continuing with partnership.
  • October 10, 2022 –Project update to the Fairfax Libraries Board of Trustees.
  • November 30, 2022 – Second work session with BAR.
  • June 28, 2023 – Project design presentation at the Liberty and Libraries event
  • September 13, 2023 – Project update to the Fairfax Libraries Board of Trustees
  • November 13, 2023– Project update to the Vienna Town Council including a presentation of the final exterior design incorporating recommendations by the Vienna BAR.
  • April 12, 2024 – Project update to the Vienna Town Council including information on the status of the site and building plan reviews by the Town of Vienna and Fairfax County Land Development Services.

Contact

For more information, please contact project manager at Maryam.Mostamandi@fairfaxcounty.gov.

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