Northfield board and library favor ‘scheme three’ for library expansion; cost estimates range $6.65M–$7.9M

Architects presented three schematic concepts to expand the Winnetka Northfield Library and create a village-center gateway on April 28, and trustees signaled support for the most expansive option, known as scheme three.

White and Company’s lead designer Steve Dillon told the Committee of the Whole that scheme three would bridge part of the library over a landscaped pedestrian corridor, connect to the Skokie Valley bike trail and create protected outdoor ‘third spaces’ for events and daily use. “It actually starts to create that gateway from a pedestrian standpoint,” he said, explaining that the design aims to both shield the library from adjacent power lines and create visible wayfinding along Happ Road.

The three conceptual approaches vary in scale and cost. White and Company presented order-of-magnitude estimates: an adaptive-reuse linked garden (scheme one) with phased construction and higher site complexity at roughly $7.0 million and about 15 months of construction; a compact two-story option (scheme two) estimated at about $6.65 million and an 11-month single-phase schedule; and the gateway/bridge scheme three at roughly $7.9 million due to larger site and structural scope. The architects said shell-and-core costs for each option were approximately $5 million (one and two) and about $5.8 million (three), with sites and general conditions adding the balance.

Members of the library working group and library leadership endorsed scheme three. “It accomplishes so much from the library standpoint and the village’s standpoint of creating that place where people want to go,” Matt Gallon, who served on the working group, said. Monica Dombrowski, executive director of the Winnetka Northfield Library District, told trustees her board favored option three for its potential to create a civic gateway and flexible program spaces.

Several residents raised practical concerns during the public Q&A. Margaret Barney, a 50‑year library patron, said she preferred options one or two because scheme three’s post office placement and parking plan could reduce convenient access and make winter holiday traffic worse. Peter Wactor and other frequent library users asked how the design accounts for visibility, lighting and the existing high‑tension transmission tower on the site; presenters said sightlines and landscape buffering are core elements for forthcoming schematic work.

Trustees and staff also addressed accessibility and temporary service during construction. Officials confirmed the final design will meet ADA requirements and said the library is exploring temporary local facilities to maintain service during construction, although details and costs remain to be worked out.

Next steps: trustees agreed to advance scheme three into schematic design and further coordination with the U.S. Postal Service about the post office location and timing. Staff said the project will continue through more detailed design phases, with additional public review and budgeting updates.