Jefferson County Public Library (JCPL) has a capital project underway to build a new library in Northwest Jefferson County. This project is budgeted for through the library's 5-year Capital Improvement Plan and is fully funded.
Jefferson County Public Library Board of Trustees and its Executive Director, Donna Walker, have signed a land purchase and sale agreement with the Jeffery L. Nading Trust.
On the July 20 board meeting, the Library Board of Trustees unanimously voted to give Ms. Walker the green light to sign a Purchase and Sale Agreement for $3.65 million for 9.4 acres of land to be used in the building of a 30,000 square-foot facility located in the growing community of northwest Arvada. The site is located between Wilkerson Court, 92nd Ave and Candelas Parkway.
At the February 2023 Board of Trustee meeting, the Board delegated authority to the Executive Director to sign nonbinding documents necessary for furthering negotiations on potential real estate transactions for the development of a library in northwest Jefferson County. At the March 2023 meeting, JCPL provided information to the public on the property search process.
In the succeeding months, JCPL continued to provide updates in the public meetings and executive sessions while continuing the site search and engagement with community leaders. Finally, a comprehensive agreement was reached in July towards acquisition of the land.
Mayor Marc Williams of the City of Arvada was excited at the announcement. "As a former Trustee and Chair of the Jefferson County Library Board of Trustees, and now as Mayor of Arvada, we are thrilled by the decision of the Library Board to acquire land in northwest Arvada for the next JCPL library. Libraries are an important component of what makes great communities for our very youngest pre-readers to our young at heart senior citizens. Our libraries are a hub of activity and learning opportunities; plus, nothing beats a good book! As I did with the Standley Lake and Olde Town [Arvada] Libraries, I look forward to watching this library come out of the ground and become a wonderful asset for our citizens and business community."
This purchase was a part of the strategic planning of Executive Director Donna Walker and the Executive Team of JCPL. This will be the 12th library location, including the Express self-service library, which debuted in 2022.
"We analyzed the market area and determined that this rapidly growing part of Jefferson County was underserved and needed more convenient library services. Once our due diligence steps are complete, we will continue our engagement efforts to hear from the community about their specific desires for library services for the future on this site," said Ms. Walker.
Jefferson County Commissioner Tracy Kraft-Tharp said, "Jefferson County Public Library has done another fantastic job of impacting the local community as well as Jefferson County. The work that Donna Walker and her staff have put together to serve the Northwest community of Arvada, and the citizens of Jeffco, runs true to both our missions to impact our communities. I am proud of this land acquisition and look forward to the next steps that will create a library for the future."
"A new library in northwest Arvada will provide greater access to information and opportunities to help JCPL fulfill its mission to the residents in this area and Jefferson County as a whole. This project would not be possible without the trust shown by the citizens of Jefferson County in passing the 2015 mill levy," said Kim Johnson, Library Board chair.
The project is expected to be completed in late 2025 or early 2026, depending on zoning and other approvals.
Jefferson County Public Library (JCPL) is the third-largest public library system in Colorado and the essential destination where all generations connect, discover, and create. JCPL's mission is to build an educated and vibrant community by providing equal access to information and opportunities. JCPL delivers services through a robust website, 11 library locations, a bookmobile, home services and outreach services to kids, families, teens, adults and diverse communities.
