Board awards $4.09M construction contract for North Fork library renovation, approves $606,500 in additional funding

The Madera County Board of Supervisors on June 2 voted to award a construction contract for the North Fork branch library renovation and approved additional county funding to cover site and accessibility work not included in the state grant.

Library Director Krista Riggs told the board the project will replace mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems, add a required fire-sprinkler system, remediate lower-level water infiltration and bring the historic building into full ADA compliance. The project received a Building Forward Library Infrastructure Grant from the California State Library for just over $4.6 million, but the state grant excluded certain site improvements, including ADA parking.

Kitchell capital project manager Ricky Arredondo reported five responsive bids; the lowest responsible bidder was Fortune Ratliff General Contractors with a base proposal of $4,093,340 (including unit cost #1 for ADA parking and a bid alternate for south-deck renovations). After accounting for site work and scope escalation, staff requested an additional $606,500 from the library development impact fee fund, increasing the total project budget to cover design and construction contingencies.

County staff explained that the 2018 impact‑fee study identified the North Fork renovation as an early priority and that, under the study’s nexus, 65% of the renovation is eligible for impact‑fee funding. The board approved the contract, the budget transfer, and the receipt of unanticipated revenue by roll-call vote.

Construction is scheduled to start after the notice to proceed (anticipated June 23, 2026) with an estimated 14‑month schedule and occupancy targeted for September 2027.