Worcester Awards Construction Contract For Library Reno

City of Worcester: The City of Worcester announced that the $8.5 million contract for the renovation of the Worcester Public Library at 3 Salem Square has been awarded to D. A. Sullivan and Sons, Inc.

D.A. Sullivan & Sons, Inc. (DAS) is a general contracting, construction management, and owner's project management firm based in Northampton, Massachusetts. It was established in 1897, and has been serving New England for more than 120 years. Previous projects include the Leicester Public Library, Athol Public Library, South Hadley Public Library, Holyoke Public Library Westhampton Public Library, and the UMass Amherst Morrill IV Neuroscience Lab. The renovation project will create a new “front door” on Franklin Street, opening the library up to the Worcester Common, and adding more connectivity between citizens living and working in the downtown area. It will also increase the library’s footprint by 8,000 square feet, creating more public space, and allowing for a new and exciting Children’s Room on the third floor. “We’re excited to begin construction and we look forward to working with D.A. Sullivan & Sons, Inc. who has an impressive resume of library renovations in Massachusetts,” said City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. “This project will further ensure that our library continues to be a vital community asset for everyone from young children exploring their world and learning how to read, to immigrants studying to be citizens, to families and students, and all the way to our seniors who still continue to learn everyday on their life journey.”

The Main Library was last renovated in 2001. Since that time, technology has dramatically changed the way people use library services. The renovation will create modern spaces to meet the needs of current and future library users. The renovation is scheduled to being in the fall of 2019, and will last for approximately 52 weeks. The Worcester Public Library Foundation has embarked on a multi-year $4.1 million capital campaign to help fund the renovation and endowment. Currently, the Foundation has secured $3.45 million toward this goal. These funds will be used to support the current renovation project and create an endowment to support future needs. The design of the Main Library renovation was prepared by LLB Architects, a New England architecture and design firm established in 1936. The firm recently opened a branch location in Worcester, and completed the Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center. Each year the Worcester Public Library welcomes over a half million visitors. The new improvements to the Main Library will help meet the needs of Worcester’s residents.

When completed, this project will better contribute to and capitalize on the redevelopment taking place in the downtown area, and better support the evolving needs of an urban public library.
For more information contact Linnea Sheldon, Community Relations and Communications Manager, at 508-799-1654 or lsheldon@mywpl.org.