Burroughs grad will design Buena Vista library

Paul Clinton

MAGNOLIA PARK -- The City Council has hired an architect to design the

Buena Vista Branch Library.

The council voted 4-0 Nov. 30 to hire Glendale-based Charles Walton

Associates to design the building and an adjacent park and parking lot.

The city will pay Walton $576,000 for the work.

The $6.6-million library will be across the street from where the

51-year-old branch now stands at Buena Vista Street and Verdugo Avenue.

Work on the new library is scheduled to begin in the fall with the doors

opening in April 2002.

Walton, who was chosen from about 50 interested firms, has designed

more than 30 libraries in Southern California, city officials said.

“Designing libraries is different from designing office buildings,”

Deputy City Manager Richard Inga said. “It’s a unique field.”

The library will be built on the 5.4-acre former headquarters of the

Burbank Unified School District. The district has until June 30 to vacate

the property, Inga said. Once the city demolishes the buildings,

construction will begin.

Walton, who graduated from Burroughs High in 1950, said he was pleased

to get the job. The company will take input from the city and community

about the project’s design.

“It’s a joint effort,” Walton said. “We want to hear what the needs

are.”