Bryce, library staff (presenter), told the Orem Library Advisory Commission that the winning construction bid for the library renovation came in at about $2,200,000, above the originally budgeted $1.6 million. “The bid for the total renovation project ended up being about $2,200,000,” he said, and added that staff had gone through value engineering with the architect and contractor and had “identify[ed] and secure[d] some additional funding” so the project can proceed as designed.

The renovation has already caused repeated operational disruptions, Bryce said: elevators were out for two weeks, the fire‑suppression system required staff to be on “fire watch,” and recent concrete work created flooding and exposed termite damage that required demolition and remediation. He said the library found those conditions before the main renovation work began, which staff considered preferable: “If you had to choose when to find termites and mold and have to rip out drywall, would you do it right before or right after the $2,000,000 renovation? This feels the right thing to do,” he said.

The project includes exterior and courtyard work that will remove additional trees and require new drainage. Bryce said engineers required two new sump drains behind the building; the project had originally anticipated losing two trees but will remove four and will replant replacements. He said the northern side entrance is now functional but not yet ADA compliant because entrance sensors have not been installed, and the front entrances will be closed only after permitting and sensor installation.

Staff outlined operational mitigation steps to reduce patron disruption during construction: a concierge desk at the main entrance, relocated hold and circulation points, temporary wayfinding and staff escorts to moved collections, and expanded off‑site programming for summer reading. Bryce said the city’s public works team will perform some exterior “grubbing” and fencing to reduce contractor costs and that the interior start date is contingent on the building permit from the development department.

Commission members asked about public feedback; one commissioner praised front‑line staff for good customer service at the door. Bryce said he expected the project to begin interior work in “2 to 3 weeks” after permits are granted and that exterior site work was scheduled to begin the week after the meeting, subject to public works workload.

The commission will revisit the renovation status at its next meeting; staff said they expect to be deep into construction by then and will report schedule shifts and patron‑service changes as permitting and contractor schedules firm up.