City of Sacramento Martin Luther King Jr. Library Renovation

Sacramento, CA

One of the first buildings in the nation named after the civil rights leader, the 56-year-old Sacramento Martin Luther King Jr. Library underwent a complete transformation to create a warmer and flexible space for the community, earning the Project of the Year award from the American Public Works Association (APWA) Sacramento Chapter in the process. The comprehensive project raised low ceilings for better lighting, removed walls to open up the space, preserved architectural elements, added new collaborative spaces and added a community meeting room that can be used after-hours.

Supporting the project’s architectural modifications to improve user flow and open up the space required carefully considered structural solutions. In accordance with City code requirements, a comprehensive seismic evaluation following Tier 3 ASCE 41 guidelines was performed, guiding the project seismic retrofit strategy in creating a resilient facility for future generations. This evaluation was critical to conserving original masonry walls, strengthening and reconfiguring wood shear walls, anchoring the raised floor and roof, and creating a welcoming space for all users. The project was funded by a state grant and certain cost-savings considerations by the team facilitated addition of an automated materials handling system, improving operational efficiency for staff. With 3D technology amenities, maker spaces, audio booths, and more than 20,000 books, the updated library stands ready to serve its community for another half-century.