Construction on the new wing began in December and has been going strong for nearly six months, but a delay in the winter has pushed the project back to the end of August or early September, about two months behind schedule from their original completion date.
“We’d originally hoped to be done in July but because of the weather being cold, having snow, even some rain, things like that, it delayed pouring the foundation and we really couldn’t proceed without that foundation. So now that the weather has finally gone to spring, they were able to pour the foundation and everything else goes pretty quickly. So now we’re looking at September for a completion – at least of the new part,” Urwiler said.
The next step in the project involves finishing the exterior then installing flooring and some additional interior work, as well as the installation of the built-in furniture.
In April, the construction crew caused a bit of a scare when they struck a gas main, causing both the library and the Knox Elementary School to be evacuated. Urwiler said the problem was corrected in about two hours. Other than that, she said, there have been no major hiccups with the project.
No work has been done inside of the building yet as the children’s department needs to be done before work can commence. About 4,000 square feet will be added to the northwest part of the building as part of this construction project, with that area serving as a new children’s wing that will have more controlled access and better sound protection.
Urwiler said the added space will also provide more room for computers. Part of the area will be set aside for a young adult section which is currently situated in the loft area of the library.
The total cost of the project is $1.785 million.
