Library and Cultural Arts Facilty Project Background

Background
The Town and Douglas County Libraries are working together to provide our residents with a new Library and Cultural Arts Facility in downtown Parker. The site will be located west of Town Hall on Mainstreet and would include an expanded library (double the size), a 500-750 seat performing arts center, galleries for local artists, classrooms, meeting rooms and more.

In 2005, the Town, Douglas County Libraries and Douglas County School District RE-1 hired Barker, Rinker, Seacat Architecture to study the feasibility of a library and cultural arts complex in our downtown. This study reconfirmed the need for the expanded library, confirmed community demand for a cultural arts center and determined that the best location in downtown would be the property to the west of Town Hall. To view a vicinity map, please click here.

Barker, Rinker, Seacat Architecture also held a community Charette and used the input to develop a preliminary site plan showing what this development could look like on the site. Copies of the full report can be viewed at Town Hall.

In 2006, the Town hired Webb Management to develop a business plan for the Cultural Arts Facility, including operations recommendations and budget requirements. Copies of the full report can be viewed at Town Hall.

In 2007, Douglas County Libraries, in coordination with the Town, contacted thirteen (13) architects that had experience in libraries and cultural art facilities and invited them to submit qualifications to participate in an architectural competition.

Seven (7) architectural firms and teams submitted qualifications. A team of Councilmembers and Library Board Trustees narrowed down the field to three (3) architects to compete in the competition. The team selected Humphries Poli and Semple Brown as the finalists to move forward with the project design.

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If you have questions regarding this project please contact Bryce Matthews at
303.805.3174 or email us.