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Council approves Neighborhood Guild funding and awards contracts for Guild rehab and Peace Dale Library community learning center
Summary
The council authorized roughly $947,000 from the Neighborhood Guild income accumulation fund, approved a construction contract for exterior rehabilitation at the Guild, and awarded a renovation and community learning center contract for the Peace Dale Library.
The Town Council voted Tuesday to approve funding and construction contracts for two town cultural facilities: the Neighborhood Guild in Wakefield and the Peace Dale Library's Community Learning Center.
Neighborhood Guild funding and contract: The council authorized the use of $947,000 from the Neighborhood Guild income accumulation fund to support infrastructure improvements at the Guild. Director of Leisure Services Terry Murphy and finance staff explained the income accumulation fund is derived from the guild endowment distributions and is restricted for use by the Guild. The council then approved a contract award to DuPont Mason Reconstruction LLC of East Greenwich for the Guild rehabilitation project in an amount not to exceed $1,532,300 (including contingency). Leisure Services said the work will repair the historic building’s exterior, restore and revitalize windows, replace roofing elements and reconstruct the front alcove.
Peace Dale Library and Community Learning Center: The council awarded a separate contract to Alberts Construction Corporation of Warwick for the Peace Dale Library renovation and creation of a Community Learning Center in an amount not to exceed $2,686,200 (including contingency). Library Director Laurel Clark and project staff described the plan to expose historic woodwork, remove an interior masonite ceiling in the main reading room, salvage and reuse interior wood where feasible, and create space for job‑training services, a community paramedic program and other public programs.
Why it matters: Staff said both projects have state and grant components and that the library project leverages state and federal aid; the community learning center is intended to support job search, health and workforce programming in town. Council members congratulated staff and contractors and voted to award both contracts.
Selected detail: Terry Murphy said the Neighborhood Guild’s income accumulation fund had accumulated roughly $1.18 million (from prior years’ distributions), and the $947,000 request would leave a remaining balance after authorized debt payments and allowances. Mark Russo and other staff outlined the library plan with Brewster Thornton Group as architect and cited efforts to preserve historic fabric while adapting the building for expanded community services.
What the council did: The council voted to (1) authorize spending $947,000 from the Guild income accumulation fund, (2) award the Guild rehabilitation contract to DuPont Mason Reconstruction LLC (not to exceed $1,532,300), and (3) award the Peace Dale Library / Community Learning Center contract to Alberts Construction (not to exceed $2,686,200).
