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Library committee asks for updated cost estimate and design review of stalled renovation project
Summary
Committee members asked staff to confirm whether CS Arch can resume a multi‑phase capital renovation, requested updated cost estimates (originally about $4.5 million pre‑COVID) and sought to open redesign work to staff and community input to reflect current needs and funding realities.
Newburgh Central Library committee members on Sept. 3 asked staff to seek an updated cost estimate and a status response from CS Arch for a multi‑phase capital renovation that began before the COVID pandemic and has largely stalled.
The discussion focused on whether the library should continue with the existing CS Arch design, reopen the design process to other firms, and broaden community and staff involvement in a redesigned plan that addresses changed needs and inflation since the project’s original estimate.
The request matters because the project is tied to a state construction grant and contains elements — notably HVAC upgrades — that must be completed and reported to the state by June 2027. Committee members said the original pre‑COVID cost estimate of about $4.5 million needs revision and that potential state funding and administrative capacity at the state level could affect the project’s feasible scope.
Library Director Ben Gocker outlined the project history and asked the committee to consider pausing to reassess. “This project really kinda started, in earnest, I…
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