Library committee details schedule, contractor and potential bond vote for renovation projects

The library committee received a detailed capital-project update from Director Ben Gawker, who said work on the local history workroom is expected to start in early September and close out by mid-February. "A preliminary schedule for the local history workroom project has been created with a start time slated to begin in early September and close out in midFebruary," he said.

Gawker said Dr. Manny Campbell recently signed the contract with Iron Sword, the contractor in charge of the project, and that CS Arch will visit the library in July to begin observations and staff conversations that will inform redesign elements of the broader master plan. He said CSR has recommended engaging a construction manager and preparing a new cost estimate because the initial estimates were created before COVID and costs likely escalated.

The director said the state department of library development grant requires reports by the end of June and that no further grant extensions are available. He also said the project could be phased to maintain services during construction or could involve relocating the library temporarily; either choice would affect the total project budget.

On financing, Gawker said he would "like to explore bonding the project with an eye towards holding a vote next May." Committee members asked about relocation options and Gawker cited examples of other communities that relocated libraries during renovations.

The committee received the update; no formal financing decision or board vote was recorded at the meeting.