Construction Update April 29, 2011
Springville residents are getting a real feel of how the new library will look. Construction crews have set glass windows on most of the building (that is glazing in construction terms—glass set or made to be set in frames), gyp board is up in much of the 1st and 2nd floors, and framing, with the exception of interior columns, will be finished this week. The roofers have needed 3 consecutive good days to finish the domes. With 21 out of 29 days in April receiving rain or snow, this has been an unusually difficult feat.
The final load of limestone has arrived from Indiana so the brick and stone masons have moved to finish off the southwest wall and the south rotunda. The motor for the partition that drops from the ceiling in the multipurpose room to allow for division is in place. The interior main stair is up, but not in use, and the elevators will arrive the first of next week.
On the inside, crews are still working on insulation while some electrical and plumbing work continues. The soffits and ceilings levels throughout the first floor are starting to take shape. Our architect, JRCA, has done an amazing job in making the interior space both definable and interesting with varied heights, curves, and lighting.
A few quick facts:
• Each of the 15 counter weights on the tower crane weighs 2,715 lbs. with a total counterbalance of 40,725 lbs.
• Each of the large limestone slabs weighs approximately 800 lbs.
• All of the mechanical elements such as fans, heating, and cooling which are often seen on roofs will be housed in the basement to prevent damage from the elements.
• The heating uses a displacement system which is more efficient than a typical system that blows heat down. It heats only the lower 8 ft. Radiant heating panels in the ceiling assist this process.

We can look to a fall opening for the new library. Construction workers are currently focusing on getting the roof on. Although the basic structure is in place, workers are plugging openings to with the goal of enclosing the building’s roof.
The first shipment of limestone, approximately 40,000 lbs., arrived last week from an Indiana quarry. Stone masons will begin setting stone on the high roof line of the east side of the building. The south east side is currently covered in plastic to hold in the heat as insulation is applied and masons lay the brick in that area. The brick is in multi-toned browns similar to several homes found along Center St. east of Main. This brick will compliment the red tones selected for the Civic Center and Fire Station while connecting the library to the environment created by Hobble Creek and the mountains.
The south rotunda is place. This forms the main entrance so as patrons park they are not entering the library from the side or back of the building.
Miscellaneous structural steel and exterior framing is going on so walls can be completed. Continued mechanical, plumbing, and sprinkler work is evident. The north rotunda has been moved and will be set at the same time the columns go up to hold that structure. Steel framing for the clerestory windows on the west are finished. The area on the west will house the children’s collection. The high windows will let in additional natural lighting and afford the opportunity for varied ceiling heights in the interior.

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.