Hennepin County – Linden Hills Library, located at 2909 W 43rd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55410, is a busy well-used library, serving southwest Minneapolis and the surrounding neighborhoods. The building was originally constructed in 1931 as a part of the city’s expanding public library system.  The library received historic designation from the City of Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The library has had numerous renovations including a building addition in 2003 by the City of Minneapolis prior to the county taking ownership of the building. 

In 2020 the county hired MacDonald and Mack, Inc to provide professional assessment of the historic façade elements, including some failing stone elements, windows, and roofing. In 2021 the county added Encompass, Inc. to the team to assist with the historic roof assessment and replacement. These assessments identified three main deficiencies to be addressed in this project including:  

Roofing: the 90 year old slate roof is original to the building and at the end of its service life. The original slate roof design is with a graduated and multi-colored slate stone that is a unique characteristic of the library aesthetics, and will be replicated. The roof metal flashings, valleys, copings and gutters will be replaced and several small flat roof sections in the back of the building will be reroofed. 

Masonry: the existing brick masonry is generally in good condition; the decorative stone detailing around the windows, doors, parapets are in poor condition. The stone will be repaired and selectively replaced. Select windows will need to be removed and will be replaced. 

Door: the existing main entrance door is in poor condition and will be replaced with a matching institutional grade door. The surrounding subframing and sidelights will also be replaced with a matching door assembly. 

The project scope will require that the library building be closed to the public for approximately four months starting in the second quarter of 2023. 

Through a best value procurement process, a Request for Proposals was released on April 26, 2022. Two (2) proposals were received. Based on the results of interviews with the proposers’ key staff, Shaw Lundquist Associates, Inc. received the highest score, based on its cost, written submittals, and interview. Staff believes Shaw Lundquist Associates, Inc. represents the best value to the county and recommends that it be awarded this contract.

Shaw Lundquist is a minority owned construction firm. 

Current Request: This is a request to award Contract 5325A2 to Shaw Lundquist Associates, Inc. for the Linden Hills Library Exterior Envelope Repairs project (Capital Project 1006847), in the amount of $1,456,492.

Impact/Outcomes: This project will preserve a valuable county asset by replacing the original slate roof, replacing the exterior masonry façade and windows, and repairing and replacing the exterior main entrance door system.