Library board presses contractors for bids as renovation work advances; brick-staining bid proposed

The Chadron Public Library Board of Directors on July 7 heard a detailed renovation update from JEO and Fuller Construction and asked both firms to submit any proposed extra-project bids in advance of future meetings so the board can review them.

Keenan/Kennan Johnson of engineering firm JEO and Colin Steinke of Fuller Construction reported progress on the work. Fuller said interior demolition is complete, electricians are removing existing lighting, and framing and finish work are awaiting materials. Fuller reported tuckpointing is about 90% complete but identified roughly 25 bricks that still require replacement; the contractor said additional caulking on the building’s north side is also needed. The board asked the contractor to re-examine areas where mortar appears grey and to correct remaining issues.

Fuller presented a proposal to pressure-wash and refinish the exterior brick to a single, uniform color; Fuller’s cost estimate for that brick-staining scope is $62,720 (materials and labor $56,000 plus 12% overhead and profit), with an additional $18,500 if the owner chooses separate colors for brick and mortar joints. Fuller and JEO also noted that sandstone graffiti must be removed before any staining is done.

Board members said the brick-staining option had been discussed previously and that other alternative priorities already approved for unused grant dollars should be considered before committing to staining. The board directed JEO and Fuller to present any bids or change-order proposals to board members in advance of meetings so trustees have time to consider them.

JEO/Fuller gave a tentative sequencing update: the ramp in the basement near the children’s section is likely to be the next interior item started, and Fuller said it believes the project remains on schedule pending material deliveries. The board requested a construction schedule from Fuller and monthly progress updates from JEO.

A related contractual item appears in the project record: a June change order to include Nebraska sales tax ($17,650) was processed and documented in June meeting minutes, which adjusted the Fuller contract total from $449,650 to $467,300; board materials indicate that contract paperwork was revised after it was discovered an ownership line in the change-order document named the City rather than the Library Foundation and was replaced on June 26.

The board will consider any formal bids or change orders when they are provided in advance at a future meeting. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Aug. 4, 2026.