Library Board Takes Next Step on New Home Project

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Published on September 15 2014 4:17 pm
Last Updated on September 15 2014 4:19 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

Helen Matthes Library board members Monday approved a bidding and construction administration contract to move ahead with the conversion of the former 5th/3rd Bank building into a new library home.

The contract with Johnson Roberts will take the library board through the bid award phase and the conversion project.

Architect Stu Johnson of Johnson Roberts met with the Board by phone during Monday night's meeting to review the process from this point. Here's the schedule:

--September 15--bids for the project were let

--October 7--pre-bid conference for any interested contractors

--October 17--bid opening at 2pm at the project site

--December 15--start of construction

--June 15, 2015--tentative completion date

Board members heard that their attorney reviewed the contract and pronounced it good.

Other items on the to-do list related to the project: a review of financing options to pay the contractor, and marketing of the current library home along Market Avenue, which is to begin in October.

Fundraising for the library construction project is at $1,148,967 toward the $2 million goal. Library Director Amanda McKay said a fundraising letter went out last week that has already generated $10,000 in contributions, and that amount is currently being matched by the City as part of a $200,000 pledge.

McKay also reminded about the Community Open House set for Tuesday, September 23, which will be the public's last chance to see the old bank building before the conversion begins. The event will run from 5 to 7pm and will feature information and exhibits on how the facility will look when the conversion is complete.

Library Board members also agreed to seek a per capita grant from the State that generated $15,000 last year with the funds to be earmarked for visual articles including the continuing conversion of items to Blu Ray.  The proposed levy for the coming fiscal year was reviewed, and there were reminders of Family Read Night, which will be held again this year at the Effingham Performance Center on November 20.