Blair-Caldwell and Montbello libraries are in line for renovations. The $3 million design contract is signed; construction is 2028

Two Denver libraries that have struggled with heating, cooling and plumbing problems are a step closer to repairs. The City Council approved a $3 million contract for design work on the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library in Five Points, the Montbello Branch Library and a new plaza in Montbello Civic Center Park, Denverite reported on Oct. 29.

The three projects are paid for by the Vibrant Denver bond package. All together they are expected to cost about $25 million, and construction is not expected to start until mid-2028, with work possibly finishing at the end of 2029, Denverite reported. Both libraries are expected to close during construction.

Why it matters: Montbello's library doubles as a place to cool off in the summer, and Blair-Caldwell holds one of the region's main collections on Black history in the Rocky Mountain West. Both will be out of commission for part of the work.

What's in the contract

The contract is Council Resolution 26-1452, with Handprint Architecture Inc. for $3,005,589.87 through March 15, 2030 (Legistar). It covers architecture and engineering design for:

• Blair-Caldwell, 2401 Welton St., in District 9: climate controls for the second-floor research library and the third-floor museum, plus building-wide work on heating and cooling and windows.
• Montbello Branch Library, 12955 Albrook Drive, in District 8: heating and cooling, fire and public-address systems, windows, the roof, the sewer line and a more welcoming front entrance.
• Montbello Civic Center Park, 4401 Crown Blvd.: a shade structure with seating and gathering space, and accessibility fixes on the walking loop.

The city's project presentation is attached to the bill.

What our records add

The committee briefing. At the Parks, Art and Culture Committee on Oct. 6, city staff said the Montbello library, built in 1974 and last significantly renovated in 2010, has failing air conditioning and has had trouble staying cool enough to serve as a cooling center (video at 3:30). Staff said the park plaza idea came from residents during public input for the bond package (video at 5:30). Handprint was one of nine firms to respond and one of three interviewed, and the contract carries a 21% goal for minority- and women-owned business participation, staff said (video at 6:30).

Where the research collection is now. Asked whether researchers could still use Blair-Caldwell's collections during construction, a library official said the special collections have already been moved to the Central Library because the building's environment is not good enough to hold them, and that access would continue there (video at 15:53). Staff also said the timeline for each building's closure will come back to the Council with a later construction contract (video at 16:03).

Why bundle three projects? At the Mayor-Council meeting the same day, a staff member described combining Blair-Caldwell with the Montbello projects into one package (video at 13:35). Denverite reported the bundle lets the city run one community-engagement process and keep its deadline to start construction within six years.

The vote. The committee approved it for filing Oct. 6 on a motion by Flor Alvidrez, seconded by Amanda Sawyer. The full Council adopted it Oct. 19 in its block vote, 11-0, with Stacie Gilmore absent (roll call). Before the vote, Council member Shontel Lewis, who represents Montbello, said the library has often been closed on the hottest and coldest days because of its heating, cooling and sewer problems (video at 58:13). Another member spoke about protecting artifacts that families have given the library (video at 59:34).

These buildings have been on the Council's list for years. In November 2024, during the budget debate, Gilmore cited an estimate that the Montbello library needed $11.5 million in work (video). In April 2025, as the bond list was being assembled, Gilmore thanked staff for adding the Montbello library's heating and cooling problems as possible bond projects (video).

What's next

• Design and engagement: neighborhood meetings and surveys for all three projects, run together, per Denverite.
• A construction contract: staff said they will return to the Council with a construction manager contract and a clearer schedule for each closure.
• Mid-2028: construction is expected to start.

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