04-04-2025
See inside St. Petersburg's Barack Obama Library, expected to reopen late summer
An end is in sight for construction at St. Petersburg's President Barack Obama Library.
Why it matters: The city's main library has been closed since 2021 for renovations that have taken far longer — and have grown much more expensive — than expected.
State of play: Officials anticipate the library to reopen late this summer, city spokesperson Samantha Bequer told Axios.
The work has been delayed by the pandemic, rising construction costs, and the discovery and removal of asbestos in the 1960s-era building, the St. Pete Catalyst reported.
The price tag has ballooned to about $16 million, per the Catalyst.
The latest: In a recent Instagram post, the city gave residents a glimpse into what the nearly finished library looks like inside and what new amenities they can expect. Among them:
Dedicated teen and kid spaces.
A computer lab and private offices.
An outdoor reading garden with a view of Jorgenson Lake.
