On May 20, the community of Stevens Ranch celebrated a momentous occasion with the groundbreaking of its new library. Located in the scenic city of Bend, Oregon, the Stevens Ranch Library is set to be a 10,000-square-foot facility situated on a sprawling 8.5-acre site at the northeast corner of 27th Street and Wilderness Way. With an ambitious timeline, the project is expected to take around two years to complete, promising to become a cornerstone for community engagement, learning, and environmental sustainability.
This ambitious project is not only a testament to the growth and development of Bend but also reflects the evolving needs of its residents. Until now, the largest facility under the Deschutes Public Library system has been the nearly 28-year-old Downtown Bend library, designed at a time when the community numbered around 35,000. Today, as the population has surged beyond these initial projections, the need for a more spacious, modern, and versatile library has become apparent, making the Stevens Ranch Library a much-anticipated addition to the community.
The Stevens Ranch Library is poised to offer a multitude of features designed to meet the diverse needs of Bend’s residents. The three-story building will house community meeting rooms, study and co-working spaces, and reading areas, along with creative spaces for do-it-yourself (DIY) projects. A significant highlight of the new library will be its focus on interactive and engaging spaces tailored for children and teens. From dedicated areas for young children to play and learn to spaces specifically designed for teens, the library aims to offer an inclusive environment that fosters learning and creativity across all age groups.
In addition to indoor amenities, the Stevens Ranch Library will boast several outdoor features, including multi-use patio areas and a drive-thru service for convenient material pick-up and drop-offs. Further enhancing its appeal is the environmentally friendly design; the new library is set to be an all-electric building constructed to meet the LEED Gold certification standards, showcasing the community’s commitment to sustainability. The entire project is supported by a nearly $200 million bond measure approved by voters in 2020, underlining the strong community support and anticipation for the new library’s role in enhancing the quality of life for local residents.
