Renovation of a library in Rochester, New York. Conceptual plans call for the renovation of a 120,000-square-foot, five-story above grade library.

The City of Rochester, through its Bureau of Architecture and Engineering, is soliciting proposals from firms with experience inspecting and evaluating mechanical systems to develop a comprehensive master plan for mechanical improvements to the Rundel Memorial Library. The Rundel Memorial Library is an historic building in downtown Rochester built in 1936 which, along with the Bausch and Lomb Library, serves as the Central Library branch for Rochester and Monroe County. The library includes approximately 120,000 sf of public stacks, exhibitions, reading spaces and meeting spaces, along with supporting storage, distribution and staff areas. The current grant-funded Rundel Library and Intake Air Upgrades Project includes surveys of existing mechanical systems and associated electrical requirements. This survey work, along with ongoing maintenance and repair requirements, highlights the need for several substantial upgrades to the existing mechanical systems. These improvements require comprehensive, planned programming based on multi-system design decisions as part of the master plan in order to implement integrated, phased, long-term solutions. The library proper is constructed of concrete encased steel framing and faced in limestone. The building is supported on steel framing directly above the Johnson and Seymour raceway. The raceway connection to the Genesee River diverts water to a basin beneath the library. The building has a total of three floors above grade and two floors below grade (upper and lower stacks). There is a large central light court at the second floor level as well as multiple covered skylights and penthouses on the roof level. The library currently brings outside air to the building through mechanical and natural ventilation means. A project to improve the ventilation in the library began construction in spring 2026. The building's HVAC system incorporates mechanical air handlers and boilers/chillers, including a custom-built asbestos covered air handler in the penthouse original to the building (1934). During the summer months, river water is pumped from the Johnson and Seymour raceway basin to provide cold water for the library cooling system. The master plan will include a summary of existing conditions and equipment surveys, a matrix of solution options, recommendations, conceptual scopes of work with cost estimates and timelines. We invite you to submit a proposal demonstrating qualifications for this work. The method of Contractor Selection has not been Determined at this time.