Port Washington library renovation moves toward bids after asbestos finding; community room, locker pickup planned

The Port Washington Library Board on Jan. 2025 heard updated plans for a grant-funded renovation that officials said is on schedule for bids in the spring and construction starting in June, with asbestos removal planned before full work begins.

Library leadership told the board the project budget is about $1,000,000 and that architects are finalizing plans to put out bids by the end of February; staff expect hard cost estimates back by late spring. The board was told the grant requires work to begin by July 1, and architects are aiming to start earlier. The director said a professional firm has identified asbestos in the building kitchen; removal is expected to be completed by the end of April.

The board was shown floor plans that reconfigure the main level: a quieter reading room with an electric fireplace, a lab with 11 public workstations and a smartboard, a flexible training space for classes and makerspace-type activities, reoriented circulation desk to increase sight lines to the community room, added study rooms and a new children's bathroom. The community room will keep a functioning kitchen and updated appliances; staff said cabinets and drawers will be lockable for programs that include small children.

Officials said the community room will remain available to the public through August, except for a short closure during asbestos abatement. The director estimated the asbestos work would take one or two days and that the community room may be closed only for that brief period. Staff also said streets/maintenance crews will remove some built-in kitchen cabinets at no cost, creating modest savings.

Board members were told architects and staff are reviewing final cost options and that some non-core items could be trimmed if bids exceed estimates. The director said carryover funds, foundation donations and a small amount of donation money may be used for furniture and items not eligible under the grant; she cautioned that some grant rules limit what can be paid with the grant award.

Other details discussed: - Pickup lockers: The grant includes funding for outdoor hold pickup lockers; staff expect to install about six to 12 lockers at the front entry so patrons can retrieve items outside hours via a texted code. - Asbestos cleanup funding: It is not yet finalized whether the cleanup will be paid from the grant; carryover funds are available if needed. - Schedule: Architects plan to finalize documents by the end of February and solicit bids in March; construction could begin in June. Final scope and any required budget adjustments will be known after bids are returned.

Board members asked specifically about building code and safety items: stair treads and railings will be updated to code, and the community-room doors will be refinished and likely fitted with new hardware to ensure proper egress and panic hardware where required. The director said staff will follow up on exact code-related costs once bids identify those items.