Anchorage begins building a downtown library in Historic City Hall

Construction has started on a new downtown Anchorage library branch inside the fire engine bay of the Historic City Hall building on F Street. The branch is expected to open this winter.

Municipal records recommend awarding the renovation contract to Roger Hickel Contracting for no more than $1,259,194. The contract covers about 2,600 square feet inside the building, with work scheduled to finish Dec. 18, 2026.

Mayor Suzanne LaFrance tied the project to her downtown revitalization push at a groundbreaking held Tuesday, Sept. 22.

"Project by project, we are making real progress," she said. "We are creating the safe, vibrant and welcoming downtown our community deserves."

A bequest from Janet Goetz started the project. A municipal announcement put her gift at $7.2 million, with about $12.5 million secured through the Goetz Trust to establish and maintain the branch. A state grant covers construction, and the project schedule requires spending those funds by the end of 2026.