Nashua committee approves phase‑1 schematic‑design contracts for library renovation

The joint Committee on Infrastructure and the Library Board of Trustees voted to approve consultant contracts to start schematic design for the Nashua public library renovation, carrying the motion 10–1.

Chair Michael O’Brien called the roll and Alderman Dowd moved to approve the phase‑1 contracts. Kayla Gallo, project manager with Left Field, told the committee that the schematic‑phase fees include Left Field at $103,048, DesignLab at $651,440, Consigli Construction at $16,576, Universal Environmental Consultant (hazmat) at $4,500 and geotechnical services at $13,500. As Gallo summarized: “Left Field's schematic design fees came in at a $103,048. DesignLab ... $651,440 ... Consigli ... $16,576 ... Universal Environmental Consultant ... $4,500 ... and the geotechnical services ... $13,500.”

Tim Cummings, director of administrative services, said the city has “an appropriation… of $1,000,000, to guide us as we start the design effort,” and staff told the committee the phase‑1 contracts bring schematic design “a little bit under $1,000,000” and that roughly $800,000 will be needed to get through schematic design. The motion was approved by roll call with the vote recorded in the meeting transcript as 10 in favor and 1 opposed.

The vote authorizes staff to execute the listed phase‑1 contracts so the design team can proceed through schematic design; committee members and staff said they will return with additional appropriation requests during later design phases as needed.