Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Library topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Library director outlines schematic plan and projected $32M construction estimate for main library expansion
Summary
Jackson-Madison County Library director Donna Harris presented schematic plans for a proposed addition to the downtown main library, a feasibility study summary and an estimated construction and renovation cost of about $32 million shared with the city.
Donna (Miss) Harris, representing the Jackson-Madison County Library, presented the commission with a status update on a schematic design and cost estimates for an expanded downtown main library.
Harris said the library’s feasibility study — funded by the Library Foundation and conducted by Andrew Dahlgren — recommended a main library of at least 65,000 square feet (the current main library is about 30,000 square feet) and a north branch of roughly 12,000 square feet (current north branch about 3,500 square feet). She said the board concluded the main library should remain downtown and that the city and county purchased two adjacent houses on College Street to secure future expansion property.
Harris said schematic design work has been funded and completed with a Memphis-based firm, and interior work is being planned with a firm called Arcomania. She described features in the schematic including consolidated entrance/exit and added archival space, drive-through material pickup, and a seventh-floor children/teen makerspace area designed to improve supervision and safety.
Estimated costs Harris provided: about $790,000 for design development and “a little over $32,000,000” for construction and renovation including fixtures and furniture. She said the cost would be split with the city and that schematic design should be finalized before the end of the fiscal year, with design development slated 14–18 months before construction.
Harris asked commissioners to remember the library in future funding decisions. County officials confirmed the county and city have already invested nearly $500,000 into preliminary design and feasibility work.
