Historic Mt. Washington Library Getting $2 Million Makeover

PITTSBURGH, PA - Dedicated in 1900, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's Mt. Washington branch is showing its age. Its slate roof and gutters are at the end of their life span, its mechanical and electrical systems are outdated, the interior and exterior paint is peeling and the building has no handicapped accessibility.

That's all about to change, however, as the Carnegie Library plans a $2 million renovation and expansion of the building, which was designated a historic landmark in 1989. The Pittsburgh Planning Commission will be briefed on the project Tuesday.

The main component is a two-story addition in the rear of the building that will boost the library's space from 5,000 square feet to 7,755 square feet. The construction will include a patio, handicapped ramp and ornamental fencing, as well as landscaping in the front of the Grandview Avenue building.

The interior will be modernized with revamped children and teen areas, and meeting rooms will be added.

The project has the support of the Mt. Washington Community Development Corporation, Friends of the Mount, the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office and the Art Commission of Pittsburgh. The library will closed during construction, which is slated to begin in the summer and take about a year.