Middletown council approves Downs Construction as owner’s project manager for 110 Enterprise library renovation

The Town Council voted to approve Downs Construction as owner’s project manager for the planned renovation of the 110 Enterprise Center, the town’s proposed new library site. The council approved a resolution authorizing the finance director to execute a contract with Downs Construction for project-management services in the amount of $210,490.

Town staff told the council the fee represents 2.8% of an estimated $7.5 million renovation budget; the administration said the general fund will advance the contract costs with reimbursement expected from future bond proceeds. Town officials said the figure was negotiated down from a somewhat higher initial proposal and that Downs’ work will include helping prepare the state reimbursement application under the state library board program.

Don Moore, a member of the library building committee, said the project is at an early stage and that Downs will present options and a proposed timeline to the committee. “We do not have any estimates yet,” Moore said. He told the council Downs would lay out options for delivery — including design–build and architect/general contractor paths — at an initial meeting and help the committee assess risks and cost impacts.

Councilors asked about reimbursement rates. Town officials said state library reimbursement typically covers a portion of eligible renovation costs (the administration cited an approximate reimbursement rate the committee is pursuing with the state), and that Downs would assist with the application. Officials and committee members said the town has not determined the final square footage or program mix for the facility and noted that choices about town space being used for nonlibrary municipal purposes would affect the portion eligible for state reimbursement.

The council approved the resolution on the second reading and directed staff to proceed with the project-manager contract. Town staff said Downs is expected to meet with the building committee within days to begin project planning and to prepare more detailed cost and program recommendations for later council consideration.