On Tuesday, November 29, the newly expanded Grand Marais Public Library got a thorough inspection. City Administrator Mike Roth and Library Director Linda Chappell talk about the library lighting system with Tom Wacholz and Rob Barse of ORB Management. ORB Management served as the construction managers for the library project.
For months, the public has been watching the construction activity at the Grand Marais Public Library, wondering when the library renovation would be complete and what expansion—from 4,300 square feet to 7,200—will look like. The wait to see the results of the $1,487,561.56 project is finally over. On Monday, December 5, 2011, the Grand Marais Library will once again open its doors.
On Tuesday, November 29, there was a ‘walk-through’ at the library, with Library Director Linda Chappell, County Commissioner Fritz Sobanja and Grand Marais City Administrator Mike Roth touring the building expansion with the project’s architect and construction managers from ORB Management.
Rob Barse and Tom Wacholz of ORB, Tom Weaver, the on-site project manager, and Architect John Geissler of DSGW looked over a detailed “punch list,” jotting down things that needed finishing touches or adjustments. One problem had been identified already. The automatic timer that shuts all the lights off at midnight was set improperly. The library lights all shut down on the dot—at noon. That was rectified quickly, but Wacholz cautioned that in the first three or four weeks, “little things” like that may come up.
Wacholz said this was not the final chance for the library to identify any problems. He said the builders and architects would be available to answer concerns for at least a year. “You expect to come back. There may be cracks in dry wall, or nail pops, especially with adding a new building onto an old. The older section has settled and the wood has aged—the new building has not. But it is good for the contractor and the owner to have this walk-through.”
The Cook County News-Herald asked Commissioner Fritz Sobanja, who raised concern over the workmanship on the library addition during construction, for his opinion of the finished product. Sobanja said his concerns had been addressed. “I’m satisfied with the results,” he said.
The freshly painted and carpeted space looked bare, since the custom-made circulation desk had not yet arrived from St. Germain’s Cabinet, Inc. It was scheduled to be delivered the day after the walk-through. But even if it didn’t make it, Chappell said the library would reopen as planned on Monday, December 5. “We have card tables. We’ll set them up and do business there until the new desk arrives,” said Chappell, obviously eager to get back into the downtown location from Cook County High School.
Library operations moved to the school in mid-June. Bester Brothers of St. Paul, a firm that specializes in moving libraries, made that move and they were coming back for the library’s return to the newly expanded building.
What will the new area—a 64% increase in space—be used for? Everything, said Chappell, giving a tour while the architect and ORB representatives scoured the building for potential problems. Chappell said, “Everything has more space—more quiet reading space, more space for kids or community programs,” said Chappell.
The renovation includes a much larger area for staff to work and a break room, remodeled bathrooms, and of course, room for more books—12,000 more in fact. Chappell said many new books have been ordered and library staff is excited about finally being able to put them on display.
In addition to the walk-through, county and library officials met to renew the joint powers agreement for operation of the library. Under the terms of the longstanding joint powers agreement, the city and county split the cost of operating the library equally, but the city owns the building and is responsible for its day-to-day operations. In March 2011, the Grand Marais City Council ceded ownership to the county during the reconstruction, to make it easier for the project to move forward.
A historic moment for the Grand Marais Public Library, to be followed by another, on Monday, December 5, when the doors are opened once again. The Grand Marais Library Friends will be on hand Monday and Tuesday—with cookies—to give tours of the new space.
The library is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The public is encouraged to stop by and see the renovation.
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