The plan adds an additional 10,000 square feet to the existing 21,000 square-foot site at 6060 Far Hills Ave.
Renovation of the existing structure will cost approximately $2.3 million. The new buildings will cost around $2.2 million. The site work is estimated to cost around $1 million. The work will be paid for from the library’s building and operations funds.
LWC. Inc spent several months meeting with the community to determine the best way to accommodate the more than 1,000 people who visit the library each week.
Seven conference rooms will be added. Each room will be outfitted with new technology and will have access to wireless internet, Fabelo said.
The additions to the library will also include a larger reading section for children and teens.
“The renovation is going to provide more opportunities to have both active spaces and learning programs,” said Kim Ann Senft-Paras, director of Washington-Centerville Public Library. “We will also have more space for traditional library services.”
Linda Sytch, said she visits the Woodbourne Library at least once a week. She said she is looking forward to the changes.
“The larger spaces will give people more room to read and study,” she said.
Construction is planned to begin in spring of 2017 and be completed in 2018.
Library officials are still weighing how open the library will remain during construction.
One plan would keep Woodbourne partially open and close down certain sections while work is being done. Construction would take approximately 21 months, Fabelo said.
The alternative is to shut down the library completely and relocate to a temporary site. This would cut the construction time down to 15 months and save money.
About the Author