Delayed Bellview Library Expected To Open In August (With Gallery)

June 14, 2022

The completion of the new Bellview Library is overdue, but the grand opening day is getting closer.

‘We are knocking on the door,” Escambia County Interim Administrator Wes Moreno said. “We are still waiting on some windows and such to come in.”

The $3.8 million plus library was due to open in the spring, but materials delays have pushed that date out to likely August.

“We wish it was coming together a little bit faster, but like every other project we’re doing right now, we are waiting on materials,” Moreno said. One of the biggest delays has been windows; several triangular window openings around the building are covered with plywood.

The main portion of the library will consist of a large open space that is divided into areas such as a lobby, a story time area, a youth area and an adult reading area. This large open space will provide entrances to other support spaces such as multiple study rooms, staff rooms, a computer area and a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) room. The development of the building’s façade was inspired by origami, the art of folding paper, which is why there are angles throughout the building.

“This is a long-needed amenity for the west side of Pensacola and District 1,” D1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said. “It’s been a longtime coming, and I’ll be proud to get it done.”

At 12,000 square feet, the library is located on about four acres at 6425 Mobile Highway, near Bellview Elementary and Bellview Middle schools. About 2,000 square feet of the structure is a former bank; the remainder is a new addition.

For more photos, click or tap here.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.


Comments

19 Responses to “Delayed Bellview Library Expected To Open In August (With Gallery)”

  1. Linda schumacher on September 9th, 2022 8:27 am

    How do apply for a position?

  2. Asher on July 15th, 2022 7:38 am

    This is awesome. My family is super excited to have a library on our side of town. We can’t wait for story time!

  3. David Huie Green on June 16th, 2022 10:56 am

    REGARDING:
    “It is unusual on the outside.
    “Maybe unusual is good.”

    You don’t use what you don’t notice.
    Visibility is a good thing.
    Libraries are very good things.

    David for better libraries and praise to librarians

  4. Jen on June 16th, 2022 10:00 am

    @Denny, how would one know what adults think a library should look like.
    Adults designed and built it.
    Creative adult thinking.

  5. Denny on June 15th, 2022 5:34 pm

    The look is literally outside-the-box for what adults expect a library to look like, but kids love the design and are excited to go inside. That’s what matters most.

  6. Carl on June 15th, 2022 3:49 pm

    Keebler Elf inspired this building

  7. Citizen on June 15th, 2022 12:50 pm

    Libraries rent out musical instruments and have seed banks and are a gathering place for mental stimulation and community. The people are fortunate to have those luxuries.

    If the BOCC had built a square grey building, we would still have the usual fault finding negative crowd complaining.

    It is unusual on the outside.

    Maybe unusual is good.

    Tell your kids we are going into a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired architectural themed library — get off social media and have them research that.

    They may surprise you.

  8. DMD on June 15th, 2022 8:50 am

    The important thing is what is inside the building..not what is outside.

  9. Robert Bruner on June 15th, 2022 5:58 am

    Just look at you. Talking about a library. I would say that is mission accomplished. Now go read a book.

  10. ViVi on June 14th, 2022 9:00 pm

    Regarding Susie’s comments about the soothing colors on the building — the colors do not bother me, but I am convinced that the abstract shapes and odd angles will not stand the test of time — the building already looks outdated (like bad architecture from the ‘50s and 60’s) and tasteless.

  11. Susie on June 14th, 2022 7:49 pm

    There are psychological effects of different colors for you “artsy fartsy” thinking guys. Like blue having a calming feeling, aqua gives off a coastal effect. I think it’s pretty cool. Very smart of the person who thought of it. Nice addition to the school.

  12. David Huie Green on June 14th, 2022 4:38 pm

    REGARDING:
    “I’m sure we paid a pretty penny”

    Thank you for your service/contribution/taxes.

    David for appreciation and more glass

  13. Henry Coe on June 14th, 2022 1:25 pm

    Looks like maybe the set for filming Beetlejuice 2 ? I like artsy but that makes me want to take Dramamine before I drive by it.

  14. Cantonment Neighbor on June 14th, 2022 9:27 am

    I think the design is beautiful. Yes it is artsy, but eye catching to youth and others.
    Bellview had needed this for a long time. Every time I drive by it with my grandson he says “I want to go to the library”, so we cannot wait.

    This library is worth every penny when children, youth and adults are using a public resource that is all about learning.

  15. Bookmark on June 14th, 2022 9:08 am

    JTV aka negative Nancy acting like he foot the whole bill. Much needed library for the area. Nice that it’s close to the school as well. BTW Nancy stucco is easy to upkeep.

  16. ViVi on June 14th, 2022 8:46 am

    I am very happy to have additional library locations in our county, but the extra expense involved in making this building look so tacky is ridiculous!

  17. fishrman on June 14th, 2022 8:16 am

    @JTV
    You hit the nail on the head there is no need to build such a fancy building. Looking at the windows no wonder they are waiting on them. Just build a building plain and simple that design is awful .@Henry JTV and I are not complaining about the library being built as one is needed for that area. Our complaint is the building design it’s awful and cost extra to build with that type design.

  18. Henry on June 14th, 2022 7:08 am

    It’s a little stucco next to a school, be thankful there’s a library being built, not a bar.

    **Always that one negative guy.

  19. JTV on June 14th, 2022 6:59 am

    I’m sure we paid a pretty penny for the artsy fartsy architectural design that will be an eye sore in two years. Kind of already is