Thursday, July 22, 2010

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.