(Dec. 15, 2016) The new Berlin Branch Library project will enter the construction bidding phase next month after the Worcester County Commissioners approved a final pre-bid cost estimate at its meeting last Tuesday.
In presenting a progress report, county library Director Jennifer Ranck said the library project has received more than $1.7 million in state grant funds, with another $1.01 million pending approval.
“The governor’s capital budget bill is scheduled to be released on January 18, 2017 and we will know then if the fiscal year 2018 request has been included,” she said. “On top of what we’ve received from the state, the Worcester County Library Foundation has made through donations and pledges (an additional) $425,000.”
Jeff Schoellkopf, principal with the Vermont-based Design Group, said initial design was completed in August 2015.
“We’ve been working now since our last progress report in August a year ago on the design development and construction documents,” he said. “We’ve gotten to the point where we’ve actually submitted permit plans to the town (of Berlin) and we’ve gotten the fire marshal’s blessing.”
At this point, Schoellkopf said the overall project cost is estimated at $6.4 million.
“The project now stands about a 12,000-square-foot building with about 2,400 square feet of decks and porches,” he said “We are shooting for a building envelope of 40-50 years to make sure we build things that don’t need constant repair and replacement,” he said.
In an effort to reduce costs, Schoellkopf said he consulted with construction management firm Whiting-Turner to perform a cost analysis of a wood-versus-steel building exterior.
“We came up with a savings of about $100,000 for the all-wood building, (with a) mostly wood frame (with) a little bit of steel beams,” he said. “The floors do have to handle a pretty heavy load.”
He also noted the two-story structure was designed to mesh with Berlin’s downtown image.
Other highlights mentioned include landscaping to screen nearby neighbors, 60 parking spaces and turnaround area for bus access.
“It will have garden planters to accommodate the garden club which has been operating a garden program at the existing library,” he said. “We are trying to keep low key street lighting and will have 14 foot mounted poles every 50 feet.”
Upon entering the first floor of the library patrons will be greeted by a circulation desk, with adult stacks located to the right and an array of offerings for kids to the right.
“The children’s area includes a small reading circle, children’s book collection and craft and homework areas,” he said. “Off of the children’s area is a porch and the front entrance has a porch.”
The second floor will contain a multi-purpose room that can be accessed from an outside entrance during library off hours.
“It can be used for theater productions with 120 people seated,” he said.
The room includes four rows of retractable seating and can comfortably accommodate 80 to 90 people for business conferences. The second floor also includes other adaptable spaces.
“The loft area includes a closed in history room, a teen area and some youth computers,” he said.
Kelly Shannahan, county assistant chief administrative officer, said the commissioners could either approve the bid package now based on the concept or do a more detailed review and call for bids in January.
“If you’re comfortable with the design, I’m not sure the specific detailed review of the bid packages would be necessary,” he said.
Commissioner Bud Church made a motion to approve the project for bids, with a second from Commissioner Ted Elder.
In presenting a progress report, county library Director Jennifer Ranck said the library project has received more than $1.7 million in state grant funds, with another $1.01 million pending approval.
“The governor’s capital budget bill is scheduled to be released on January 18, 2017 and we will know then if the fiscal year 2018 request has been included,” she said. “On top of what we’ve received from the state, the Worcester County Library Foundation has made through donations and pledges (an additional) $425,000.”
Jeff Schoellkopf, principal with the Vermont-based Design Group, said initial design was completed in August 2015.
“We’ve been working now since our last progress report in August a year ago on the design development and construction documents,” he said. “We’ve gotten to the point where we’ve actually submitted permit plans to the town (of Berlin) and we’ve gotten the fire marshal’s blessing.”
At this point, Schoellkopf said the overall project cost is estimated at $6.4 million.
“The project now stands about a 12,000-square-foot building with about 2,400 square feet of decks and porches,” he said “We are shooting for a building envelope of 40-50 years to make sure we build things that don’t need constant repair and replacement,” he said.
In an effort to reduce costs, Schoellkopf said he consulted with construction management firm Whiting-Turner to perform a cost analysis of a wood-versus-steel building exterior.
“We came up with a savings of about $100,000 for the all-wood building, (with a) mostly wood frame (with) a little bit of steel beams,” he said. “The floors do have to handle a pretty heavy load.”
He also noted the two-story structure was designed to mesh with Berlin’s downtown image.
Other highlights mentioned include landscaping to screen nearby neighbors, 60 parking spaces and turnaround area for bus access.
“It will have garden planters to accommodate the garden club which has been operating a garden program at the existing library,” he said. “We are trying to keep low key street lighting and will have 14 foot mounted poles every 50 feet.”
Upon entering the first floor of the library patrons will be greeted by a circulation desk, with adult stacks located to the right and an array of offerings for kids to the right.
“The children’s area includes a small reading circle, children’s book collection and craft and homework areas,” he said. “Off of the children’s area is a porch and the front entrance has a porch.”
The second floor will contain a multi-purpose room that can be accessed from an outside entrance during library off hours.
“It can be used for theater productions with 120 people seated,” he said.
The room includes four rows of retractable seating and can comfortably accommodate 80 to 90 people for business conferences. The second floor also includes other adaptable spaces.
“The loft area includes a closed in history room, a teen area and some youth computers,” he said.
Kelly Shannahan, county assistant chief administrative officer, said the commissioners could either approve the bid package now based on the concept or do a more detailed review and call for bids in January.
“If you’re comfortable with the design, I’m not sure the specific detailed review of the bid packages would be necessary,” he said.
Commissioner Bud Church made a motion to approve the project for bids, with a second from Commissioner Ted Elder.