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Library Celebrates "Topping Out" of Transformed Central Library Tower
September 30, 2005
Raising the Final Beam at Central Library
Community representatives and Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library officials celebrated a major construction milestone in the transformation of Central Library during a public "Topping Out" ceremony at the Central Library construction site on September 30, as the final beam of steel was placed atop the six-story tower that will comprise the major portion of the Library expansion project.
Following an architectural tradition when the structural steel framework of a public building is completed, construction workers hoisted a five-foot American flag and a five-foot evergreen tree to the top of the tower, which rises 118 feet into the air. That's approximately 60-feet higher than the existing Cret Building, the 1917 library that will adjoin the tower.
Leading up to the "Topping Out" event, citizens were given the opportunity to become part of the Library's history by signing their names to the beam at various branch locations throughout the county.
The new structure will house a majority of the Library's collection of materials and provide a technologically-rich environment for the lifelong learning needs of all patrons.
"As the transformed Central Library begins to take definite shape, our long-awaited plans for a new era of library service in Marion County are one step closer to becoming a reality," stated Louis Mahern, President of the IMCPL Board of Trustees.
Children signed the final beam at the College Avenue Branch
Symbolizing the public-private partnership in funding for the transformation project, representatives of Chase (formerly Bank One) presented IMCPL Foundation officials with a check to fulfill the company's pledge of $250,000 toward the project. Approximately $43 million is being provided by private sources through the Library Foundation.
Concrete pours to fill each floor of the tower are expected to be completed by the end of December. Steel construction on the four-story, 12-thousand-square-foot Atrium which will connect the Cret Building with the new tower will be completed this winter.
Renovations and improvements have been substantially completed to the exterior and interior of the Cret Building, maintaining the architectural and historic significance of the building.
