Troy council hears schematic design, $75 million estimate for new library; schedules June 30 meeting on bond

Troy City Council members on June 9 heard schematic designs and an opinion of probable cost for a new Troy Public Library, including a third‑party estimate of $75,000,088.72 for a roughly 90,000–100,000‑square‑foot, three‑story building.

The presentation, led by Peter Bullock, president of HBM Architects, laid out a three‑level plan that places active, community spaces on the first floor and quieter reading and study spaces on upper floors. Bullock said the design emphasizes natural light, transparent façades and mass‑timber construction, and that the project team used a third‑party independent estimator to produce the cost figure.

The estimate “today is, $75,000,088.72,” Bullock told the council. He and his firm also described options the design team has identified to add roughly 10,000 square feet if the city decides to expand the program; Bullock said that expansion would add about $8 million under current assumptions, and that some additional interior space might be gained by enclosing the planned roof terrace at lower cost.

Why it matters: council members and staff said the estimate will factor into a possible bond proposal for the November 2025 ballot. City management told council that ballot language is due in August and recommended a special meeting on June 30 to continue the bond discussion; council approved adding that meeting to the calendar.

Council members also asked that the presentation materials be posted online; Mayor Baker confirmed the city will make the schematics and cost estimate available so council and residents can review them ahead of the June 30 session.

What’s next: the city is targeting a November bond vote. Bullock gave a tentative schedule that anticipates remaining design work in late 2025 and early 2026 and, if bond approval and permitting proceed on the proposed timeline, a possible construction start in April 2027.