Healthy Nevada moves forward in library

An overhead look at the third floor of the library as rendered by the architect. Submitted photo.

The Healthy Nevada Project took a big step forward Monday when work began to transform the third floor of the Nevada Public Library into the Healthy Nevada Innovation Center. Negotiations for the leasing and renovation project that began several months ago have culminated in a contract that was signed last month. The contract gives Cerner a five-year lease and an option for an additional five years, according to head librarian Jodi Polk.

Right now, the third floor is basically a 6,100-square foot storage space. When completed, the Innovation Center will consist of a reception area, a multipurpose room, a workspace with several stations for Cerner personnel, two private offices, a break room and bathroom facilities.

According to Cerner executive Erik Gallimore, the renovated room will have an open floor plan that will be a warm space with a contemporary feel. Soft colors will be used on the walls and for the carpeting. They will be complemented by the natural light provided by more than a dozen large windows and the indirect lighting installed in the acoustic ceilings.

This overhead artists rendering of the Healthy Nevada Innovation Center being constructed on the third floor of the Nevada Public Library shows a reception area on the lower left, restrooms middle left, storage and a breakroom on the upper left. The lower right of the floor plan is dominated by a multi purpose room; center right is a work room with several computer stations and the upper right corner of the plan shows two private office spaces.

One reason the library was chosen for the Innovation Center is because of its central location. Gallimore said Cerner really liked the location because, "We wanted to be in the heart of the community." The downtown location "will be our home while we are here." Gallimore said being visible in the downtown area will keep people thinking about their health and improving it on a daily basis. Gallimore also said Cerner "will leave a legacy" behind when it returns control of the third floor to the library.

The Kansas City, Mo., based general contracting firm of McCown Gordon has been hired for the $745,000 renovation. Cerner's Property Construction Manager Shawn Frost said the project should take about 90 days and he hopes to have the work completed in June. Job Superintendent Sean Sims said they have a good start.

Everything has been cleared form the space. Metal studs will be the first thing to go up and they will define the individual features of the center. The reception area will include a couple of public access computers that can be used as data ports for the Healthy Nevada Project. Residents will be able to use the computers to find or track information about the project.

The multipurpose room will have an occupancy of 50 people. One wall will feature a seating bench. The room can be used for meetings, lectures, demonstrations; any number of things. There will be separate men's and women's restrooms with at least a couple of stalls, because there may be dozens of people in the Innovation Center during some events or meetings. The multipurpose room will be technology rich with everything from a simple whiteboard to a projector and several data ports available.

There will be a large space devoted to a series of 12 computer work stations that will be available for Cerner personnel. There will also be three work stations and associated technology available to project coordinators and community members who are part of the project. The end of the space will be occupied by a small storage area, two private office spaces and a break room with a refrigerator, microwave oven and other amenities.

Furnishings for the center will follow the warm motif of the design. Gallimore said there was talk about making some of the furnishings Nevada specific. The project is about the Nevada community. He mentioned artwork by local artists and perhaps a photography contest to find some unique work for the walls. The subject is open at this point, he noted.

Polk said she thought the project was going to be great for the library. She said it will provide some income for future use. She said one of the key things in the project was the sustainability of the space. The library board will address that issue, she said.

Library Board member Kelly Stephens said she thought that all the board members "would agree that we feel like it's a great opportunity for Nevada and the library."

Stephens characterized Cerner as "very generous and positive" throughout the entire process. "Cerner has been just wonderful," she said.

Board member Jim Erpenbach "put a lot of time and effort into the project," said Polk. Erpenbach echoed that sentiment when he said that Cerner "treated the library very fairly." He added that it's "a win-win situation" with everybody gaining something.