Mount Vernon Library Commons

Resilience at the Mount Vernon Library Commons (MVLC) is embedded not just in the building’s performance, but also in the community’s determination to prepare for a changing climate, economic inequity, and social need. Located in a Justice40-designated rural city in Washington State and pursuing Passive House certification, the all-electric MVLC merges a library, a community center, and the nation’s largest public EV charging garage.  
 

Mount Vernon’s historic downtown is flood-prone and has weak seismic soils. More than 1,000 stone columns were installed under the site to stabilize the soils, and the city increased the seismic design to Risk Category 3 so the facility could serve the public during emergencies. The building is noncombustible and includes rooftop space for a future generator that can power emergency systems and the community kitchen. Passive House standards create a tight envelope that ensures occupant comfort and protection during wildfire smoke events, heatwaves, or power outages. 

With an estimated EUI of 12, MVLC will have significantly low utility costs. Stormwater strategies, including biocells and modular wetlands, bolster its environmental performance and climate adaptation. MVLC is also socially and economically resilient: Built with no increase to local property taxes and funded by more than 20 grants, it is a model for equitable public investment.