White House Library Expansion

I try to keep up with our neighbors in Montgomery, Cheatham and Sumner Counties - it is always a good method to assess where we are in Robertson County. Not to mention, in Sumner County, we share municipalities.

This story has to do with the City of White House, and the Sumner County Commission's allocating funds for a library expansion project.

Raising the funds for a library in White House has already began. Mayor Mike Arnold said a bond issuance would likely be taken out for the project, which is expected to break ground in the summer of 2013. While the city’s current 4,000-square-foot library is located on the Robertson County side of White House, the proposed new 25,000-square-foot facility would be in Sumner County.

“We are estimating it would cost about $3 million,” said Elizabeth Kozlowski, director of the White House Library. “We are going to be putting it in front of city hall, because the city already owns that land.”

The excitement for residents, said Kozlowski, is the additional 21,000 square feet of space for new and expanded programs the new facility would have, which would include a second floor for meeting space.

Gorham-MacBane Public Library: Director Resignation

In the event that you have not heard this by now, please allow me to pass along that Mary Schmidt, Library Director for our Gorham-MacBane Public Library has resigned.

Here is message from the Library Board of Trustees representative, James Marshall:

MY Minutes: 2011.8.2 RCC Budget Committee Meeting

Here is a summary of last night’s Robertson County Commission (“RCC”) Budget Committee Meeting (“BC”):

There were presentations from various agencies including the Gorham-MacBane Public Library; as well as discussions regarding funding for various non-profit/not-for-profit agencies.

Following this discussion, the BC considered cuts to several departments, and even considered cutting Robertson County Animal Control. However, this was general discussion and no motion/proposal was specifically considered by the BC.

After this general discussion, the BC came to the conclusion that they did not necessarily know what direction that the RCC would want to go with the Budget. Meaning, would the RCC pursue further cuts, or would the RCC consider the “needed” $.40 property tax increase. When the discussion turned to some form of both cuts and tax increses, the BC decided to send the discussion to the RCC.

The BC voted to send the $.40 property tax increase to the RCC.

This will be considered at the next Regular Meeting later this month.

I hope to have more on this issue in the coming weeks.

Robertson County, what are your thoughts?

Library Expansion: "Revised Project Budget Projection"

These are the numbers I spoke of recently.

Earlier, I had pointed out that we the Gorham-MacBane Public Library Board had met to hear from the architects with regard to the Library Expansion project. Specifically, we received some preliminary figures.

I had hoped to provide you with a cost breakdown. Here is that breakdown through Kaatz, Binkley, Jones & Morris Architects:

Revised Project Budget Projection

Addition & Renovations at Gorham MacBane Public Library

May 5, 2011

A. Construction

1. Building Construction Cost                                                 $          4,261,225.00

(Based on estimate provided by R.G. Anderson)

2. Computers/Technology                                                                   90,000.00

3. Library Furniture Allowance                                                           300,000.00

Subtotal Construction & Allowances                        $          4,651,225.00

B. A/E Fee

(per article 3.4.19, 10.2.1 & 11.2.1 of Owner Architect Agreement)

1. Basic services 5% (remaining)                                                $              70,500.00

2. Civil Engineering including landscape

architect required by Springfield Planning                             $              17,000.00(1.5) 25,500.00

3. Reimbursables (renderings & interiors mock-ups)                            6,500.00

4. Reimbursables (printing bid documents)                                            5,000.00

Subtotal Fees & Reimbursables                                                $              107,500.00

C. Survey                                                                                                    $              1,300.00

D. Geotechnical Survey                                                                           $              2,360.00

Total Project Projection                                                                         $             4,762,385.00

Please note that the Library Board will be scheduling a meeting with the City of Springfield and the Robertson County Commission to present these plans. That meeting will hopefully be scheduled sometime in June.

The capital campaign has kicked off, so it will be great to hear the amount of progress that has been made towards this project.