As a two-term member of the Grand Marais Library Board I would like to clarify information reported in the February 19, 2011 News-Herald. The article stated that the expected cost of the library expansion project was initially $700,000 and that it has risen to over a million.
Prior to the passage of the 1% sales tax there was a “rough” determination by the county that an addition to the library should be considered as an approximately $700,000 part of the sales tax proposal. This amount would be for a 3,000 square foot addition to the existing library building.
After a year’s delay, the 1% tax bill passed, and when the application for the library project was submitted, the amount under discussion for the library project was increased to $800,000. The library board recommended, and the county board approved, moving ahead with the project and the hiring of an architect to produce a detailed
design concept and estimate of the cost. This work is well under way. However, only after the opening of bids will we understand the actual final cost of the project.
It should be noted that reconstructed bathrooms, furnishings, design costs, legal fees and other necessary alterations to the existing building were not included in the basis for the $700,000 determination in 2009.
The library board has always assumed that the money allocated from the 1% sales tax would likely need to be supplemented from other sources. It has diligently considered all aspects of this project and is committed to using the 1% money wisely. The board’s final goal is a renovated, efficiently functional library building, which will serve the whole community.
Please stop by and look at the design on display at library.
David Quick
President, Library Board
Grand Marais
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