From the Ground Up: Hatch Auditorium, The Library Center

Owner: Springfield-Greene County Library District
General contractor: Branco Enterprises Inc.
Architect: Sapp Design Associates Architects Inc.
Engineers: Olsson Inc., civil; RTM Engineering Consultants LLC, structural; and True Engineering Group LLC, mechanical, electrical and plumbing
Size: 11,300 square feet
Cost: $7.7 million
Estimated completion: Early 2026
Project description: The Springfield-Greene County Library District is adding a 500-seat auditorium to The Library Center on the city’s south edge. The project includes 11,300 square feet of newly built space, plus some renovation of existing library areas near the addition. The district aims to provide cultural enrichment opportunities in the venue, according to officials with Sapp Design, who note the addition’s lobby area will be the right size for smaller networking sessions or after-hours gatherings, with retractable, theater-style seats to allow the auditorium to host readings or musical performances. The addition will be accessible through the main library or by a separate exterior door with additional parking for easy access, library officials say. The library’s website notes that the project is still on schedule despite some weather delays in the winter.