Building Projects FAQs

  • Arvada Library Redesign

    Like other location redesigns, JCPL is seeking to improve space efficiency and flow, align with future service and community needs, foster increased circulation and provide collaborative areas for conversation and discovery. This includes a increased occupancy of study and meeting rooms and implementation of modern security systems and design to enhance overall safety.

    Community and stakeholder feedback, along with the program of service, helped inform the layout and future services of the redesigned library.

    In 2024, JCPL conducted robust community engagement efforts to gather a comprehensive understanding of their wants and needs. Along with outreach to current Arvada Library patrons, we reached out through a wide variety of communications channels including print, digital, social media, radio and more! We engaged with 1,158 total participants. Engagement and outreach materials were made available in both English and Spanish.

    You can find the results of these efforts in the Community Engagement Report (PDF), opens a new window.

    The Arvada Library Redesign’s overall budget is $14,895,781.00.

    This project is fully funded thanks to the taxpayers of Jefferson County and the fiscal stewardship of the Library Board of Trustees.

    The Arvada Library Redesign project kicked off in early 2024 with a market analysis, followed by robust community engagement and outreach efforts in July of that year.

    In 2025, we developed a program of service and finalized the design for the reimagined library.

    The Arvada Library closed for construction on January 7, 2026. A temporary location, the Arvada Balsam Temporary Library, opened on January 17. The redesigned library is expected to reopen in spring 2027.

  • Deer Creek Library

    Site criteria, which included size, location, convenience, technical requirements, and sustainability and stewardship, were all exceeded with this site (11100 Bradford Rd., Littleton, CO 80127). In addition, the location has an intuitive entryway and parking, potential for outdoor spaces, is adjacent to major thoroughfares, and is near other government services. 

    More information on the factors used to determine our new site can be found in the Recommendation for Site Selection Criteria document.

    JCPL’s site search process encompassed several routes for finding and exploring sites, including JCPL driving tours of the area, working with a commercial realtor, pursuing suggestions from the community and advisory council, conversations with community stakeholders, reviewing Jeffco school closures, and pursuing opportunities for partnerships and sites that were not on the market. 

    JCPL considered 50 properties within five broad categories: Repurposing an industrial building, repurposing a school or place of worship, partnering with a developer for a library combined with affordable housing, using a retail storefront, and purchasing open land.

    In addition to physical and digital library materials, the Library will provide community resources such as meeting space, Wi-Fi, computer access, programs and events, and more. JCPL will conduct facilitated community engagement in early 2025 to give the public an opportunity to provide feedback on desired library services, resources and design.

    This location is conveniently located adjacent to major thoroughfares and on errand routes. Other government services, including a post office, Jefferson County government offices, and a DMV location are located nearby.  

    The building is along the RTD Flex Ride route, which provides scheduled public transportation service six days a week. 

    South Jefferson County will be served by both Columbine Library and the new South Jefferson County Library (Deer Creek Library). Together, these locations will provide this community with more convenient access to library resources, staff and services. 

    At 64,058 square feet and a lot size of 7.04 acres, the current site exceeds original size requirements included in site criteria. While no decisions have been made at this time, the space allows for future expansion or potential partnership opportunities.  

    The Deer Creek Library project’s overall budget is $30,849,540.00.

    This project is fully funded thanks to the taxpayers of Jefferson County and the fiscal stewardship of the Library Board of Trustees.

  • Wheat Ridge Library Services Project

    JCPL’s Facilities Master Plan (FMP) guides planning, decision-making and capital investment in our facilities over the next two decades. Based on potential partnership opportunities, Wheat Ridge Library was elevated into group one of our FMP. Wheat Ridge library services is also an active project in JCPL’s 2026 Annual Strategic Plan.

    In this project, community engagement was conducted to:

    • Evaluate how well the current Wheat Ridge Library location and services meet community needs
    • Identify desired library amenities and space priorities
    • Gather data to inform future facility and service decisions

    JCPL starts all capital projects by collecting community input to help inform next steps and make sure that library services meet the needs of our communities.

    In each step of the project so far, our findings showed that while current library services in Wheat Ridge are well-loved and convenient for nearby residents, there are also gaps in access that cannot be addressed by the current space, such as:

    • Current location has geographic, space and visibility limitations
    • Inability to create a fully accessible building for staff and patrons
    • Lack of opportunity to meet growing demand for programming for all ages
    • Lack of opportunity to provide community gathering and meeting spaces

    Decisions regarding the location of library services are made by the Library Board of Trustees. They directed JCPL to proceed with our recommendation to relocate library services in Wheat Ridge at their meeting on August 20, 2026.

    In April – June of 2026, JCPL collected community input through an in-library activation, a survey that could be completed online or in person and outreach in the community where people naturally gather. Opportunities to provide input were promoted through a variety of channels, including our website, e-newsletters, social media and inclusions in mailers and newsletters from the City of Wheat Ridge. A detailed summary of our methodology and findings for this process can be found in the (PDF).

    We will share more opportunities for community involvement as the project progresses!

    The next steps are to develop the Program of Service and criteria for a site search, both of which will be developed in the coming months. The Program of Service is a document that outlines the vision for the future Wheat Ridge Library programs and services and will help inform next steps in the project.

    Visit the project page for the latest information or sign up for the project e-newsletter to get updates delivered straight to your inbox.