The project is slated to cost a total of $8.4 million. Rochon Corporation of Iowa won the contract for the library’s renovation with a bid of $5.1 million from the library’s board of directors.
The library has been shifted to a temporary location at Merle Hay Mall until the renovation is complete, which would take about 12 to 18 months from the beginning of the construction. Post renovation, the 14,720 square feet library will double in size.
The project received a set back due to the city’s plans to cut down seven pines and four oaks trees, which the officials stated was needed to accommodate a solar energy system on the roof of the library, to which the trees were a hindrance as they would shade the library. The trees are allowed to stand for an year until data is gathered on how well the solar system performs. The engineers of the project will come up with other options such as pruning of the trees or removing a few of them instead of all 11, to optimize solar energy system.
The solar power plans are funded through a $2.2 million state I-JOBS grant that will aim on green, energy-saving features. The city officials will seek for a platinum LEED rating – the highest certification available – from the US Green Building Council.
The project’s $8.4 million would be used for design, construction, addition of new furniture, leasing mall space and other expenses.
