Committee forwards funding package to advance Noyes Children’s Library renovation

The Montgomery County Council’s Education and Culture Committee on Wednesday forwarded to the full council the County Executive’s recommended capital improvement plan amendment and a $3.0 million supplemental appropriation for the rehabilitation and renovation of the Noyes Children’s Library in Kensington.

The committee action, taken without recorded objection, clears the way for the county to lock a construction contract and begin work to make the building ADA‑compliant, expand programming space and accommodate more attendees. The County Executive’s amendment increases the project budget by $3,081,000 over six years — an 87% increase from the previously approved CIP entry — and delays completion to the end of fiscal 2026, the committee was told.

Committee staff and library officials said the rise in cost reflects market escalation that accumulated while the project remained on the CIP for many years and the necessity of a second rebid after earlier estimates proved too low. “This project has been an open CIP project for at least 10 years,” said Greg Assent, Department of General Services project lead. He told the committee that the original estimates were not escalated year to year and that the rebid and current market conditions produced the larger figure. Assent said DGS was “cautiously optimistic that we will begin construction this summer” and that DGS was finalizing negotiations with the selected contractor.

Montgomery County Public Libraries Director Graham, speaking at her first committee appearance, framed the project as an early‑literacy and community asset. “I would just like to advocate on behalf of public libraries for the importance of this children's library branch and what it serves in the community,” Director Graham said, adding that the branch supports early literacy and family programs countywide.

Council staff summarized the funding split presented by the County Executive: the $3,081,000 increase would be covered by $1,081,000 in general obligation (GO) bonds, $1,000,000 in federal funding and $1,000,000 in private contributions from the Noyes Children’s Library Foundation; the supplemental appropriation in the committee packet addresses $3,000,000 of that amount now, with the remaining $81,000 in GO bonds to be appropriated in a later year.

Assent told the committee DGS will provide schedule and operational impact details for the public and the library as soon as the contract and schedule are finalized. Committee members emphasized outreach and consistent communication with the foundation and neighborhood stakeholders, citing frustration that accrued during the long planning period. Council member Mink and others credited the Noyes Children’s Library Foundation and state and county officials for sustaining the project through fundraising and legislative support.

The committee vote was procedural: the chair moved to take up the item and the committee “move[d] it forward to full council” without recorded objection. The full council will act next on the supplemental appropriation and the CIP amendment.