Two key decisions regarding major construction projects await the Springfield-Greene County Library District’s Board of Trustees. Both of them will be made before August is over.
During the board’s July meeting, held Tuesday in Strafford, trustees identified two key issues that will require action over the next few weeks:
- The appointment of a construction manager at risk for an auditorium expansion at the Library Center.
- The selection of a building site for an upgraded Republic Branch Library.
Both projects are made possible by federal money that comes from the American Rescue Plan Act passed in 2021.
Auditorium expansion at TLC
The board decided on July 18 to consider proposals from three companies to serve as the construction manager at risk. Branco Enterprises, Crossland Construction and Nabholz Construction were invited to submit bids for the service.
The three companies will make presentations to the board during a special meeting set for 2 p.m. Aug. 3 at Schweitzer Brentwood Branch Library.
A construction manager at risk assumes control of a building project at a promised price. The contractor assumes responsibility of subcontractors and material suppliers, improving the efficiency that a governmental body can use when constructing new buildings and other projects.
The library intends to expand the auditorium at the Library Center, located at 4653 S. Campbell Ave. Last year the board’s Buildings and Grounds Committee recommended a $2.75 million expansion to increase seating capacity.
The Library Center auditorium has a capacity of 150, yet has held several events featuring author book-signings, concerts, performances and other high-draw speakers. The library staff adapted by moving the event to the main floor.
Board member Rachael Morrow said that the board needs to make this decision quickly, so that the district can make financial decisions within a window allowed by ARPA.
Three options for Republic expansion
The board will start to evaluate a location for a Republic expansion during its next meeting, scheduled for Aug. 15. It has three options to weigh:
- Adding two separate buildings — an auditorium and business center — just south of the existing library.
- Constructing a new, larger building just north of the existing library.
- Building a new library on a different site, near both city- and school-owned land on the western side of the intersection between James River Freeway and U.S. Highway 60.
A feasibility study done by Dake Wells Architecture helped answer a question about whether the district could either expand the existing structure, or build a new one, at the Republic Branch Library’s current location.
Situated along the city’s northern edge, its address is 921 N. Lindsey Ave., just off of Highway 174 and next door to Republic Head Start.
Architects found the site to be suitable for either expanding the existing building or demolishing it and building a new one, according to a report submitted to board members. The site has adequate drainage, good access to existing utilities and no sinkholes within its footprint, according to the report.
Building at the new site would require a working arrangement with the Republic School District and city of Republic. An exact location has not yet been determined.
Republic School District voters in April approved a $47 million bond issue to build a new 5th- and 6th-grade building on the property. The district bought a 78-acre tract in December for the project, according to a report from the Springfield Business Journal. The tract is neighbored to the north by the Republic Sports Park and Athletic Complex, also under development.
When the library board meets, it hopes to evaluate opportunities and limitations of all three options, from the estimated costs to what staff members of the current library think would work best.
“We have to make a decision, and we need to make it in a timely manner,” Morrow said.
Morrow was elected as the board’s new president July 18.
