City Selects Sampson Construction as New Central Library Contractor
Published on November 12, 2025
The Mill Coffee & Tea named vendor to operate on-site cafe
Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird today announced Sampson Construction of Lincoln as the general contractor for Lincoln’s new central library at 1111 “O” St. The Mayor also named Mill Coffee & Tea of Lincoln as the vendor to operate the café within the facility.
The City announced in May its plan to purchase and repurpose the Southeast Community College Education Square building as a replacement for Bennett Martin Public Library, 136 S. 14th St., which was built in 1962. The City Council approved purchase of the Education Square building in July. Demolition and renovation are expected to begin in fall 2026.
“Modern libraries are more than books,” Mayor Gaylor Baird. “Modern libraries catalyze innovation and creativity, foster community connection, promote lifelong learning, increase digital literacy and technology access, improve educational outcomes, support economic opportunity, and enhance overall quality of life.”
The 80,000-square-foot, $46 million facility will include flexible community spaces, interactive areas for youth, a café open beyond library hours, digital labs, administrative offices, a makerspace, a rooftop auditorium, a quiet reading room, and future partner space. The facility includes an attached, City-owned parking garage with 1,057 spaces and skywalk connections.
Funding for the project will include $23 million in municipal infrastructure bonds, $5.2 million from interfund loans and $18 million in private contributions, representing a 60% public, 40% private split. The Foundation for Lincoln City Libraries is managing the fundraising campaign for private donations.
Joining Mayor Gaylor Baird at the news conference were Justin Carlson, City Council Chair; Ryan Wieber, Lincoln City Libraries Director; Cori Vokoun, Vice President of Strategic Operations, Sampson Construction and Tamara Sloan, Co-Owner and Director of Operations, The Mill Coffee & Tea.
Director Wieber said working with Sampson Construction during the design process allows them to provide valuable input on constructability, material selection, cost estimating, and scheduling. This early collaboration helps identify and solve potential problems before construction begins, reducing change orders and cost overruns, he said.
“We’re thrilled to once again partner with Sampson Construction in creating a modern library that will provide value and impact for the entire community, and The Mill Coffee has the experience necessary to create a coffee shop that complements the vision of the library as a place where residents can connect with one another,” Wieber said.
Vokoun said Samson is honored to build a facility the community will regard as a meaningful and significant addition to Lincoln’s memorable places.
“As I look back at the projects of past generations and those that get that ‘legacy’ and ‘cornerstone’ labels – those are those community gems that define Lincoln. They define what it’s like to live here, and what it’s like to grow up here. You feel like a community builder, not just a contractor. This is one of those projects,” Vokoun said.
Sloan said the new central library will be transformational for Lincoln, particularly for downtown.
“We truly look forward to partnering with Ryan, all of your amazing librarians, and the City to help us create an experience that all of our community members – and visitors alike – will seek out and be so proud of,” Sloan said.
Carlson said the City’s partnership with Sampson Construction and The Mill places the central library project “in the best possible hands.”
“In Lincoln, we recognize the power of public-private partnerships and local collaboration to accomplish great things. The central library project builds on this proud local tradition,” Carlson said.
For more information about Lincoln City Libraries and the Central Library Project, visit lincolnlibraries.org.