ORB Management placed its construction trailer and a large sign about the library renovation on the Grand Marais Public Library lawn this week, so the town is buzzing. “We are charging ahead with moving plans,” said Library Director Linda Chappell.
The School District 166 school board has said the library can temporarily move into the district office and Jane Mianowski Conference Room — about 2,700 square feet. The library will be taking several of its large shelving units, lots of books, its staff and public Internet computers, chairs, tables and desks. The library will be closed the week of June 12-18 for packing and moving.
Chappell said the lease agreement between the school and the library is still being negotiated by various attorneys and should be ready for the library board to sign at its June 6 meeting. The school board will vote on the lease on June 7. “Several points still need to be worked out, but there are no ‘deal-breakers,’” she said.
The school board voted to have the library board rent space on a month-to-month basis for the duration of the renovation project. The cost will be approximately $2,000 per month. “Some of this expense will be offset because ORB Management and DSGW Architects agree that work can proceed safer and faster in an empty building,” explained Chappell.
Both Beth Swartz, the school superintendent, and Chappell feel this is a win-win situation for the Grand Marais Public Library and the Cook County School District.
The purpose of the project is to add about 3,000 square feet to the current building to meet increased demand for service and to renovate the old part of the building, which, said Chappell, “is 24 years old and has energy efficiency and other issues.”
All areas of the library will be expanded, including book stacks, adult and juvenile seating areas, computer and WiFi work space, staff work area, and storage. Two handicapped accessible parking spaces will also be added.
The county commissioners have agreed to use approximately $1 million from the expected revenue from the 1% sales and use tax established in April 2010. At press time, bids were being reviewed and actual costs should be known soon. The earliest that contractors will start is estimated to be the first week of June for outdoor projects.
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