Construction on the library has benefited from the extended good weather through most of December. Today’s heavy snowfall was the first day that welders, due to the mix of electrical arcs and water, and most of the construction workers, due to safety issues, had to take a break.

Steel columns are in place for both rotundas and most of the roof joists are set which now provide us with a clearer view of what the building will look like. Concrete has been set on the second level, work on plumbing and heating lines continues, and electrical floor boxes are in place. The north stairs are in which will allow access to staff offices and work room.

So far, my favorite part of the building is the ceilings in the children’s/youth area on the west side. Because the west side of the building is one-story, it allowed the architect to vary the ceiling heights. The children’s area opens in to an elevated arched ceiling with clerestory windows that lead in to the even further elevated corner rotunda. The play of height and incoming natural light will make this a very inviting area.

Nov. 22, 2010

The new library is beginning to be defined with perimeter foundations, the addition of steel columns and beams and placing the concrete slab for the main floor. Weather conditions have allowed the workers to set the last 100 yards of concrete on the south so the remaining slab on grade was completed last week. Conduits for power and internet and heating and cooling ducts are in place for the basement and first floor.
92% of the second floor deck is in place. Welding continues on the second level. Each of the tall steel columns weigh approximately 1,800 lbs. It is a visual treat to watch crane operators and construction crews working in tandem to set columns and stabilize them with the supporting beams.
Last Friday, the crane began moving in roof supports and crews will begin to arrange for the concrete that will become the second level on the east side. Libraries require extra shoring due to the highly compacted weight of the books on their shelving. A typical office building may require a load limit of 50 lbs per square foot where a library requires 150 lbs. per square foot.
Architectural drawings are shown in the Library and Civic Center lobbies.

Construction on the new library site is definitely looking more vertical this week. Five truckloads of steel and roofing and floor joists were unloaded on the secondary site which is the east side of Hobble Creek. Loads have been broken down and are being moved to the west to sequence in the construction project. A crane arrived on Tuesday and has been assisting in setting columns and beams. This work begins on the east side of the project.

Elevator shafts have topped out at 32 ft., heating and cooling ducts are under slab and work with under slab electric cable lines continues. Main Street curb and gutter work is 80% complete. The sidewalk along Main has been removed to allow future forklifts to bring in needed brick and stone for the exterior. Deck on basement is complete. The building perimeter concrete is now fully visible.

For all those who have been asking, the library is scheduled to be completed in July 2011.

October 1, 2010

The library site is looking very different this week. Concrete walls and basement flooring are complete, waterproofing of that area is finished, and the area has been backfilled. This allows for more maneuverability on site, more workers, and so more progress.

B.D. Jones has completed demolition of the buildings on Main and 1st South. This eliminates the need for a vehicle bridge to span Hobble for previously needed parking. Patrons will now have parking and walking access to the building without having to cross the water. This change also affords a higher profile seen from the south.

Spot footings are poured, east and north storm drains are in, under slab plumbing is going in, under slab floor ducts have been set, and elevator shafts are up to six feet. If you walk around the perimeter fence you can see the outline of the building footprint and imagine the increased visibility of the new library. The Art Museum may no longer get visitors stopping by thinking the museum must be where the library is too.

Behind the scenes, exterior masonry and stone have been evaluated and ordered, landscape modifications have been made since there is no longer a need for a traffic bridge, electrical plans are being reviewed, and librarians are working with the architect and interior designer on shelving, millwork, bathrooms, floorings and fixtures.

I’ve been asked to include a site plan that shows the landscaping around the building. The attached drawing shows the building, parking, and landscape on the west side of the creek. The city has purchased property on the east side of Hobble Creek, adjacent to the credit union which, at this point, will have grass and sprinklers with an option for a future park.

It has been a busy week at the library site with concrete transport trucks arriving to finish setting basement walls. The basement will house the heating and cooling systems of the building and house some of the IT equipment.
The contractors are keeping on schedule and are doing a fantastic job. Utilities have been roughed in in the basement, stem wall transition and automated handling system footings are being set, and large rock and debris are being moved off site. The handling system is part of equipment that will automatically and immediately check in and sort materials as patrons return them. It will enable customers to see if their cards are clear and if any items need to be renewed. There is continued review and approving of shop drawings for fabrication of the structural steel components including columns, beams, joists and steel decking.
Springville is lucky to be building in this economic climate. Not only is it employing a significant number of tradesmen, we have the good fortune to be working with some of the best architects and constructions companies in this part of the country.
Although the building will be funded through the 2008 library bond, the library is in need of donations to purchase computers and other up-to-date technology, new books and audio/visual materials, and part of the furnishings. Individual, family, and business donations make a very significant difference in the quality of materials and services when a new library is being built.

August 12, 2010
This afternoon approximately 140 yds. of concrete was trucked to the site as two basement walls were set. This seems like a milestone to me.
You can observe continued screening of the dirt to take out large rocks in preparation to backfill the basement and set the stage for the main floor of the building. Sewer and underground plumbing is complete, a sorter tunnel dug for future equipment that will automatically check in and sort materials as patrons return them, the west elevator pit is formed and digging is being done to allow for north/south power lines to be lowered and placed underground.
The construction tasks are very visible at this juncture so it is a good time for those who like big trucks and equipment to get a close-up view of how things are done. Construction is on schedule.
Library News: Children’s programming begins in September. We just received a large order of new fiction material so an excellent selection will be on the floor in a few days. Thanks to all of you, and especially our high school youth council, who made up a successful summer reading program. More than twice as many residents participated this year! Keep on reading.

construction updates

July 20, 2010
Westside of basement excavation is complete. Excavation of site to lay supports is being finished in main building area. The waterline from building to Center St. has been connected and is functioning. Concrete crews have visited the site and pre-tying of rebar for footings has begun.
The property site has been expanded to include the entire block area south of the proposed building. Work in that area will begin the first week of August. Power lines will be dropped and buried along the north south line along Hobble Creek. Fiber lines will also be moved to the east side of lot so they are out of the parking lot area.
Drawings for expanded parking lot and improved access to the drive-up drop box are complete and waiting final approval. This project is finally feeling real.

July 1, 2010
Existing basement is being backfilled. Excavation of the partial basement , which will house heating and computer functions, continues. The soil being removed is shifted to remove large rocks and debris and concrete from previous structures.
Trenches for sewer lines run north and south as Jacobsen ties lines to manhole on Center St. Two barrels of materials and two sump pumps have been found, tested, and removed from site.

June 1, 2010
Crowds crossed Main St to celebrate ground breaking for the new public library. Clouds cleared and rain dissipated in time for supporters to participate in this long awaited event. Councilmember Mark Packard greeted the group. Jim Weber spoke of the efforts of many who worked toward passage of a library bond of $9.8 million. Councilman Phil Bird shared his early experience of being banned from the library as a teen who broke the rules by playing chess in the library. Times have changed, Phil—we would now cheer you on.

Pam Vaughn, the library director, related several positive comments from patrons. Mayor Clyde had the children come to the front stating, “This is the reason we are building a new library.” He encouraged community members to open their hearts and wallets even wider so there will be funds to furnish the new building.

June 1 Groundbreaking Ceremony

The groundbreaking ceremony for the new library will be on June 1, 2010 at 3pm at the corner of Center and Main streets. Please join us for this exciting event.

These are the latest renderings of the new library. Notice the change in brick color and other more subtle changes such as the removal of the "fins" on the entrance, changes in some windows, and more.



Panoramic View showing Center and Main Streets.


Southeast View




Northwest View




Southwest View

Demolition

Demolition of the old buildings on the east side of Main St. is complete. The excavation will remain open , but protected, in preparation for digging the new library foundation. Eight contractors were selected, from a request for qualifications, to bid on the new facility. The construction bid will be awarded the first week in May.

Plans for the library and surrounding areas call for a modification of Hobble Creek. The west wall of the creek will be widened and lowered to create a better connection with the building, parking spaces will be increased, there will be more light in the building, and computers will be increased and divided into age-appropriate areas. The library has been carefully planned to make areas and items easy to find and navigate.