Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Library Rebuild topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Clearwater board hears timeline for rebuilding Beach Library after Hurricane Helene flooding
Summary
Library director told the Library Advisory Board the Beach Library and recreation center were water-damaged by Hurricane Helene and that staff will follow Parks & Recreationtimelines; council approval, FEMA reimbursement and insurance will determine schedule and budget.
Library Director Jen (last name not specified) told the Library Advisory Board of the City of Clearwater that the Beach Library and the recreation center that houses it were severely flooded during Hurricane Helene and must be rebuilt.
"It was flooded. So, that resulted in pretty much getting rid of everything inside the rec center and the library because it was just water damaged," Jen said, describing damage to shelving, furniture, computers and other interior fixtures. She said the Parks and Recreation Department is leading the repairs to the recreation center, including drywall, electrical and flooring, and that the city must secure council approval for repair contracts because of the dollar amounts involved.
Jen said Parks and Recreation hopes to present the project to city council this spring and that, pending council approval, the department expects the Rec Center repairs to be underway by August. The library director said she is targeting an April council presentation for the library portion of the work and that she will keep the board and stakeholders updated on the council agenda date.
The director said the city has applied for FEMA reimbursement and that the city also has insurance; the amounts that FEMA or insurers will reimburse "are nebulous" at this stage. She said those reimbursements, together with council decisions, will shape the library—s budget for replacement of shelving, collection materials, furniture and computers.
In the meantime, library staff have been reassigned to the Main Library. Jen said the library plans limited "pop-up" services near the Beach site when conditions allow, "maybe two days a week" to let patrons pick up holds, check out a cart of popular materials, and offer limited programming. She said exact timing of pop-up services depends on when the Rec Center begins reconstruction and on vendor lead times for new furniture (she noted a furniture representative had recently quoted 16 weeks minimum for delivery on a smaller project).
Board Chair Donna Dennis urged board members and community supporters to attend council when the project is presented and to show visible support. Board member Loretta Mitchell suggested coordinated signs or pins to demonstrate public backing.
The board will receive updates from the director at future meetings; Jen said she hopes to have a firmer timeline and cost estimates after the council presentation and vendor pricing are available.
Ending: The board will monitor the Parks and Recreation schedule and Jen said she will notify members when the item goes to council so they can attend and show community support.
