MOUNT VERNON, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A new library in Mount Vernon that has been called the biggest public project in the city’s history is nearing completion.

The $61 million project spans half a city block and includes a public library, community conference center, commercial kitchen, a young adult STEM center and three floors of parking.

The parking structure contains 78 electric vehicle charging ports thanks to a $12.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. That makes it the largest public EV charging station in the country.

The new library in Mount Vernon will offer 78 EV charging ports for visitors to use. Courtesy of the Mount Vernon Library Commons

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell was at the opening ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 28, and says the project made history by being the first transit-oriented development loan ever given by the Department of Transportation.

“This year alone, we’ve been able to provide $12.5 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill for the 78 electrical charging stations, and more in the future, and the entire building, really, is an apex of what energy efficiency is,” Cantwell said.

It’s also the first publicly built project in the state to achieve “Passive House” certification for energy efficiency. The city says this new library uses 80% less energy than the previous library, which was built in the 1950’s.

The entirety of the project was financed using federal, state and local funding.

The library, located at 208 W. Kincaid St., will reopen the public later this month.