Library West renovations to feature bronze alligator statue

Last week, the A.H. Burnett Foundation donated a bronze alligator statue, designed by architect David Price, to be featured in the Library West Colonnade after renovations are complete.

The alligator was released to Library West earlier than expected after a donor paid $40,000 of his $100,000 pledge. This 9-foot alligator is about 420 pounds and currently resides on the third floor of Library West.

Judith Russell, the dean of University Libraries, said she was very excited about the addition of the alligator.

“I was inspired after I came to the University of Florida in 2007 and experienced a Gator football game,” she said. “All of the players pat Bull Gator before entering their game, and I thought, ‘Why don’t we have an academic gator, where students can pat the gator before they start studying for their classes?’”

Barbara Hood, the director of communications for Library Systems, said the colonnade will have charging stations, benches and gardens once renovations are finished. Handicapped seating will be available, and solar panels will provide energy for fans, lights and chargers.

There is no projected opening date for the Library West Colonnade, Russell said.

The money for the colonnade comes strictly from fundraising donations, which are used for tables, benches and even the alligator statue. She said there are sponsorships ranging from $5,000 to $100,000, but students are able to donate smaller amounts of money as well.

Once Library West has enough money, construction should be done within about 80 days, Russell said. Construction will be completed one side at a time to avoid disrupting the traffic flow and to reduce the noise.

Starbucks will also go under its own construction next summer to add an additional exit, Russell said.

According to his biography, David Price spent much of his childhood around salt marshes and pine forests, where he developed an appreciation for nature. He sculpts human and animal forms in bronze and stone and currently serves as the president of Bok Tower Gardens.

About 1.4 million people visit Library West each year, Russell said. The hope for the newly renovated colonnade, Russell said, is to provide a more welcoming area for Library West, where people can relax and spread out.