C.W. Driver Companies, a premier builder serving California since 1919, today announced the completion of the remodel and improvement to the Whittier Central Library. The 39,300 square-foot, $14,600,000 project included a 35,000 square-foot modernization to the existing building and a 4,300 square-foot minor expansion.
The expansion enlarged and modernized the children’s area and restructured the offices and restrooms to bring them to current building codes as well as optimize for efficiency. The building’s exterior and landscaping were remodeled to create an updated look and feel while retaining the integrity of the library’s rich historical architecture.
Originally built in 1959, the Central Library has been a long-standing, integral landmark of the local community. The library’s service area covers two-thirds (eight square miles) of Whittier’s twelve square miles and is home to the most requested and popular materials, including access to the Internet, special collection, Veterans Resource Center, passport processing, and a variety of programs and services for the entire community.
“We were honored to partner with the city of Whittier in renovating this historic community landmark,” said Karl Kreutziger, president, C.W. Driver Companies. “Our relationship and history working with the city positioned us to deliver a state-of-the-art remodel and improvement project that will better serve the community for years to come and enable the Central Library to continue acting as the heart of Whittier’s activities.”
In 2012, C.W. Driver completed a 6,000 SF renovation of the Whittwood Branch Library that included the installation of additional shelving, remodeling both the children’s and adult services areas, the addition of exterior storefront glass systems, new steel and masonry structural components, sustainable landscaping, slurry sealing, and re-striping the parking lot, adding accessibility and various ADA upgrades, and modernizing the overall infrastructure.
C.W. Driver Companies worked alongside architect CWA AIA Inc. on this project. Other recent projects by C.W. Driver Companies include California State University Dominguez Hill’s Science and Innovation Building, Chapman University’s Swenson Family Hall of Engineering, Mt. San Jacinto Community College District’s Temecula Valley Campus, Coast CCD – Coastline College, Student Services Center, Granada Hills Charter – New TK-8 School Facility, among many others.