Trustees Moving to Get Library Expansion Started

The library Board of Trustees may soon be able to embark on the long-discussed facility expansion.

The board has authorized the hiring of a construction manager to oversee the project and should soon select a firm to do the actual work. 

Trustees are "down to the final stages of negotiations" with a construction manager, said Committeeman Brian Scanlan, the governing body's liaison to the board. He, Treasurer Alma Mader and library Director Judy Schmitt said the board authorized the selection of WG Project Management of Hoboken at its Monday meeting, although contract terms are still being worked out.

"I expect we'll have a construction manager in place certainly by the middle of August," Scanlan said.

"We heard nothing but rave reviews," Mader said about the firm, which oversaw work at the Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library. 

The board had interviewed three applicants suggested by architectural firm BH&A Architects, which drafted the plans for the approximately $4 million project. The construction manager eventually will oversee the day-to-day aspects of construction.

Once the manager is in place, the board will move forward on selecting a firm to do the work. More than 20 bids were received in June, and the board and its attorney have reviewed proposals, which had ranged  in price by roughly $1 million from the lowest to highest bids. Scanlan said the hope is to have a contractor selected by September.

However, the board still is working on finding an alternate space for library services. 

"We're looking at a couple of locations in town," Scanlan said.

Although construction could commence with the library still open, the board's preference is to rent space off-site to speed the process. Not moving "could cost two months of construction time," Mader said.

Trustees have explored available spaces in recent months and had identified a site in Mahwah, just over the Wyckoff border. However, Scanlan said the asking price is too steep on that property, forcing the board to renew their search.

"There are two sites we're looking very closely at," Mader said.

Trustee Tony Donato, a real estate agent, had taken the lead on finding available space. He could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

However, Scanlan said the board will be considering cost, accessibility and available space in its search. Should an off-site location be found, trustees have said they aim to keep the library's vital services running while the main facility is closed. Any rented space would likely be substantially smaller than the current building.

Should construction start this fall, it will be the culmination of some 18 years of savings, plans and proposals. Approximately would be added to the facility, which hasn't seen major renovation in nearly 40 years.

The expansion will add more space and services for all users, including children, teens and adults. More study space and additional room for audiovisual materials will be added, as will a new community meeting room. An elevator would be installed, and capital improvements would be made, including an improved HVAC system, a sprinkler system, new carpeting and lighting.

The project will be funded entirely by library surplus. Mader and Scanlan said the board passed a resolution Monday that essentially safeguards and verifies that sufficient funding exists to finance the project. Surplus currently stands at approximately $4.4 million, Scanlan said, although the "budget calls for spending less than that."

Architect Todd Harvey has said the project could cost at least $3.8 million.

Board Chairman Henry Shotmeyer couldn't immediately be reached for comment Tuesday.