By:Angela Marshall
Library board decides to tear down, rebuild children's wing
A new plot twist developed last week in the plans to enlarge the Baldwin Public Library. Board members unanimously decided to scrap plans to enlarge the facility around the children's wing. Instead, the children's wing will be demolished and a new, two-story structure will be built to accommodate it and other expansion.
Consultants found a myriad structural problems when studying the children's wing for renovations. Architect Raymond Beeler and his cooperating structural engineers Gilsanz, Murray and Steficek LLP also became concerned about bringing the building, which had been built as a post office in 1962, up to 2001 codes.
"It rapidly became apparent that it was going to be much less costly to build a whole new building rather than trying to work around existing steel beams, etc.," Beeler said.
The children's wing was added to the library in 1989 after the board purchased the neighboring EAB bank in 1985.
Beeler told the board that the completed addition is expected to be fully covered by the $5.53-million bond approved by voters in January.
It will also allow for an additional 5,000 square feet across the front of the new building on the second floor. The plan had been to expand around the children's wing because mechanical equipment was situated on its roof. A facade had been designed to hide the roof and make the two existing structures seem like one building.
"It seemed impossible at the time, but now seems not only a viable option, but the way to go," Beeler said. "The appearance and functionality of the building as approved by the voters in January remains the same, as does the associated renovation of the adult library, which is on schedule."
The additional 5,000-square feet will be left as raw space for future use. As needed, the library board can open up portions of it for stack space or any other use it sees fit. In order to save money, the plumbing hookups for two bathrooms will be installed during the current renovations.
"A brand-new building replacing the old children's wing makes the most economic sense," Board President Kevin Kamen said, "because it eliminates the exorbitant costs attached to bringing the old building up to code and falls within the exact dollar amount of the bond issue approved by voters."
Board member Anthony Tarantino called the problems plaguing the old building a "nightmare" and said he was relieved that a new building fit into the budget.
Beeler said that within the next couple of weeks, the project schedule would be back to where it was before the problems surfaced.
The board is expected to file site plans to the state Department of Education in December. After state approval is granted, the public bidding process will begin to decide who will actually do the work.
Demolition and construction should begin in the spring, if there are no other obstacles. The entire project is expected to be completed 12-18 months following the start date.
Although library director Barbara Hopkins and board members hope to keep the library open throughout construction, certain sections will be closed at different times.
