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Public Works presents Newark library schedule, bidding and EVOC training-site work; SBE outreach underway
Summary
General manager and facilities staff updated the council committee on the new Newark library (40,000+ sq ft) with substantial completion targeted near end of 2026 and on the EVOC emergency‑services training course under construction; small‑business and SBE outreach noted for bid packages.
New Castle County public‑works staff briefed the Public Works Committee on two active facilities projects: the new Newark library and an emergency‑services driving and skills training complex (EVOC course).
Cleon Caldey, general manager for public works, introduced the facilities team and Paul Freese, division manager for fleet and facilities, who presented project schedules and procurement updates. Freese said the proposed new Newark library is a two‑story structure of more than 40,000 square feet. Based on the current construction schedule, staff estimates substantial completion near the end of 2026. The project is in active procurement: Freese said bid pack 1 (demo, structural steel, plumbing, concrete and site work) held a pre‑bid meeting last week and that the bid opening for that pack is scheduled for the 18th of this month. Bid pack 2 — masonry, drywall, HVAC and electrical — was advertised late last week with a planned opening in March; later bid packs will follow. Staff expects demolition of the existing library to begin in April and construction to start in the May–June timeframe after awards.
Freese said the county has worked closely with Helen Foster, the county’s SBE (small‑business enterprise) coordinator, to expand SBE participation in the bid packages and in supplementary letter bids.
Freese also provided an update on the EVOC course, located at the corner of River Road and Federal School Lane near the Kirkwood soccer complex. The EVOC work, which began a few months ago, currently focuses on stormwater piping and underground utilities, and the team has completed a large skills pad and portions of a stormwater management system. Freese described next steps as roadway site preparation, installation of underground conduits for electrical and data, lighting conduit for the skills pad, and perimeter fencing. When asked about schedule, staff said the facility is expected to be completed in a summer timeframe (July–August), and that staff can provide a precise date on request.
Council members asked about the number and configuration of meeting rooms in the new library; Freese said room sizes and partitioning could allow flexible configurations (the exact meeting‑room capacities were not specified and staff said they would follow up with the plans). A council member asked where pre‑bid meetings are being held; staff said they are at the Conner Building and that exact dates for subsequent pre‑bid meetings can be provided.
Why it matters: both projects add public infrastructure — a major county library and a regional emergency‑services training course — that require staged procurement, SBE outreach and coordination of demolition, utilities and construction schedules.
Next steps: staff will continue with bid pack openings, provide exact pre‑bid dates on request, proceed with demolition and return with award information and schedules. The county’s SBE coordinator will continue outreach to expand small‑business participation in upcoming procurements.
Ending: staff asked council members to submit follow‑up questions and offered to provide meeting‑room counts and precise pre‑bid dates by request.
