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Saginaw staff present $5.3 million conceptual plan to remodel John F. Keeter Library
Summary
City staff told the Saginaw City Council the John F. Keeter Library conceptual design is about 50% complete and estimated at roughly $5.3 million if all recommendations are included; staff said ARPA funds are identified and that final scope, HVAC options and a roof repair (estimated $300,000–$400,000) remain under review.
City staff presented a conceptual design and preliminary cost estimate for remodeling the John F. Keeter Library during the Saginaw City Council meeting.
“We have started the design process, conceptual design is about 50% complete,” said Jared Kersey, assistant director of public works, introducing the project and the firm's conceptual drawings. Kersey said the city will use a construction-manager-at-risk procurement for the build phase and that costs shown are estimates only.
Kersey said the full set of recommended items totaled about $5.3 million if the city selected every option in the concept. He told the council staff is reviewing each line item to identify practical reductions, including reusing existing staff furniture rather than purchasing all new furnishings.
The presentation outlined interior concepts for workspace, storage and a lobby, and noted the design includes a connecting hallway between City Hall and the library to provide climate‑controlled access and additional storage. Kersey said staffing arrangements under consideration include moving public works, building code enforcement, communications, IT, the city secretary’s office and economic development into the remodeled space.
Council members pressed for usable workspace and department input. One council member asked whether the offices and small rooms would meet day‑to‑day needs; Kersey said the office concept remains in early stages and that staff will continue to meet with departments to refine the layout.
Staff flagged several cost drivers: an HVAC decision between ground and rooftop units (about a $40,000 difference, per Kersey), required fire sprinkler work for both city hall and the remodel (cheaper to install together), and a roof repair that was not included in the initial estimate; Kersey said a roof replacement could be on the order of $300,000 to $400,000. He reiterated none of the items were under contract and said staff would aim to minimize costs where feasible.
Kersey also said the project is funded with ARPA money previously approved by the council. On schedule, he said the conceptual design is expected to reach 100% completion in coming weeks and that staff will not finalize moving plans until designs are complete; if the current senior center/library project vacates its space on schedule, staff anticipates a move timeframe of approximately one month to six weeks, possibly longer depending on finishing details.
Next steps identified in the discussion included continued line‑item review by staff, gathering additional input from departments that would occupy the space, and refining the cost estimate before returning to council for budget or procurement action.
