February 28, 2023 - Denver City Council approved the purchase of a condo unit in the Westwood community which will become the newest Denver Public Library branch. The new branch will allow the library to expand its footprint and services offered in the Westwood community. The project is part of the RISE Denver bond, which was approved by Denver voters in 2021.
“Every Denver resident deserves the same access to the services that support equity for their families and in their neighborhoods,” Mayor Michael B. Hancock said. “This purchase allows us to make good on the promise we made to Westwood residents with the RISE Denver bonds to provide a new state-of-the-art library right in the heart of their community.”
The property is located at 3300 West Nevada Place, within the Westwood Redeemer development. The property, which formerly housed the Lutheran Redeemer Church, was purchased in 2021 and is being developed by Lifespan Local, led by Dr. Lydia Prado.
“The vision for the Westwood Redeemer project is to create a hub for community well being. Libraries provide essential services that create strong communities across neighborhoods. We are excited to have Denver Public Library as a partner and we are looking forward to collaborating with them and the community to create a unique place for Westwood and Denver,” said Prado, executive director of Lifespan Local.
Prado led a community-driven process to identify the needs of Southwest Denver residents to develop a vision for the project. The new library will be a co-created space with other neighborhood organizations providing legal support, healthy food, and well-being resources.
“The Denver Public Library is committed to meeting the needs of the Westwood community and we have been working with our partners at the City and with the community over the last several years to expand our space and services in the area,” said Michelle Jeske, city librarian. “We are grateful to Denver voters for approving the RISE Denver bond in 2021, which allows us to be a part of this dynamic new space.”
The new branch will complement the existing Westwood Branch Library, which, at 900 square feet, is the smallest library in the Denver Public Library system. The new location will be approximately 6,000 square feet and will provide the community with a larger collection of library materials, greater access to technology, community meeting spaces and services geared toward family, youth, immigrants, refugees and job seekers.
The $5,950,000 purchase price includes tenant finishes. Construction on the facility is underway and the library hopes to open the new location in 2024.
The existing branch and new branch are located in a neighborhood identified as needing additional library services in the Denver Public Library’s 2017 Facilities Master Plan.
About Denver Public Library
Founded in 1889, the Denver Public Library has served the community for over 130 years. The library creates welcoming spaces where all are free to explore and connect. With 27 locations throughout Denver, the library provides essential resources to the community including early literacy programs, computer and internet access and training, family and adult programs. Learn more at denverlibrary.org and keep up on library news and events through social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest
RISE Denver Bond Program
RISE Denver is a $260 million general obligation bond program approved by voters in 2021. With more than 80 projects across the city, RISE Denver drives economic recovery by creating thousands of jobs, investing in local businesses, and bringing critical infrastructure and community assets to historically underserved areas of Denver. Through four different categories of infrastructure projects, RISE Denver serves the city’s most vulnerable residents and unhoused neighbors, increases mobility and safety in neighborhoods, and preserves Denver’s history and culture through building restorations.
