By DEBBIE ROSEN
Construction was halted on the new Island Park Library earlier this month when structural problems in the front wall caused it to begin to split apart. The "new" library is being built by reconstructing the old A&P building on Long Beach Road. Workers built barracades in front of the building to keep residents out of harms way while they contemplated the problem.
Pat Fusco, a partner in the architectural firm of Beatty Harvey and Associates, said the problem to the property started even before construction began. The company was hired to design the refurbishing of the old A & P building.
"The solidity of the building was questionable to begin with," said Mr. Fusco. "The wall started to separate when we first looked at the building and measures were taken to repair it," he said. The problem was initially caused by the way the building was erected some 40 years ago, according to Mr. Fusco. "The building was not up to current standards, to current building codes," he said.
Once the first phase of construction commenced, vibration from demolition work led to further separation of the front wall and construction was brought to a halt as a precautionary measure.
The root of the structural problem, according to Mr. Fusco, stemmed from the roof. "A wood roof sits on a masonary wall and it's not adequate. We need to support the roof and reinforce the exterior wall so it won't move any further. We will take measures to keep what is there, there and to avoid further deterioration."
Steel rods will be used to stabilize the wooden roof and stem the separation.
The cost to fix the structural problem could not be determined as yet. But library contruction committee members feel that the 10 percent contingency fund built into the $3.5 million bond should more than cover it.
The seven-member team is made up of two members of the board of education, Steve Foster and Diana Caracciolo; village representatives Mayor Jacqueline Papatsos and Deputy Mayor Jim Falon; Marian Klein, a PTA representative, and two members of the library board, Debra Rothman and Tom McCreight. All seven members, appointed by their respective boards, formed the committee directly following the approval of the bond by voters.
Chairperson of the construction committee, Tom McCreight, said while the committee isn't happy about the delay of the project, focus needs to be put on solving the problem. "None of us [committee members] are happy about the delay of the project, but these things do happen," he said. "We are concerned with getting the solution and moving on. There is a problem and we're going to correct it."
Once the structural problem is taken care of, New York Contracting will begin to pour the foundation for a 16 by 60 foot extension to the building, which will extend into the current parking lot. To date, New York Contracting has spent 12 days at the construction site, four on asbestos removal and eight days of demolition.
