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Consultants schedule October library outreach; underground parking will be omitted from public renderings
Summary
Margaret Sullivan Studio and project consultants said they will host three days of community engagement Oct. 2–4. Consultants advised removing underground parking from the community-facing renderings because it could add an estimated $15–20 million to project costs.
Consultants leading the Russell Library project told the committee that community engagement events are scheduled for Oct. 2–4 and will include sessions for teens, youth and caregivers, faith-based lunch-and-learns, a family night at McDonough School and a farmers market station. Jade Esplin of Margaret Sullivan Studio said the team expects to finalize some session details by the end of the week and invited committee members to help spread the word.
The consultant team also urged simplification of exterior design options and removal of underground parking from materials shown to the public. Christopher, a member of the consultant team, said adding underground parking to the program could increase overall project cost “by an additional $15 to $20 million” and recommended that community materials show the most likely scenario rather than including a costly, uncertain option. Committee member Eamonn said underground parking had been popular in earlier public sessions, but acknowledged the size of the added cost could make it impractical and suggested treating it as a “wish list” item.
Ramona Burkey, who provided budget context for the project, said the current Silver Petrucelli contract is about 75% complete and that the original $200,000 appropriation still has $127,668.95 unencumbered; incidental engagement expenses such as printing and refreshments were factored into those costs. Christopher confirmed floor plans shown at the June meeting will be the basis for outreach and said the team will rework exterior renderings next week to remove references to underground parking and present simpler façade options for community review.
The committee did not take a formal vote tonight on design changes; members asked that consultants circulate updated renderings electronically before the October sessions so the committee can provide input. The consultants said they will present revised exterior options at the next building committee meeting and begin the community engagement schedule in early October.
