Roadmap to establish future of Central Library and Graves Gallery building to be decided
The Central Library and Graves Gallery building is a much-loved building in Sheffield that generations of people have used and enjoyed.
Sheffield City Council is taking steps to identify the future use of the building. Those steps will form a crucial part of plans to transform the city centre into a great place to live, work and play along with other projects including the transformation of the former Cole Brothers building, the development work on Cambridge Street and the exciting plans currently taking shape in Fargate.
At a meeting of the Strategy and Resources Committee on 21st December, councillors will consider a proposal for new feasibility studies to be completed to develop a vision for a 21st-century central library for Sheffield, and to explore the potential for the building to become a flagship gallery and arts venue.
Councillor Tom Hunt, Leader of Sheffield City Council, said: “This is a big, positive step forward to identify the future use of the Central Library and Graves Gallery.
“In 2024, if approved, we plan to kick off studies to assess options for the building’s future, including as a refurbished library and art gallery or a flagship standalone art gallery.
“The building has been used and loved by generations of people in Sheffield. Nearly 90 years after the building opened, it is right that we take steps to ensure the full potential of the building in the 21st-century is realised.”
If the process is approved, public consultation will also take place as part of the information gathering process.
The report also recognises that immediate, major repair works are necessary to achieve compliance, improve building efficiencies, preserve historic and heritage features, and prevent further deterioration.
If this process does go ahead, a full project timeline will be developed alongside the feasibility phase.