Friday, April 25, 2003
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Friday, April 25, 2003 |
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Library Commission taps Daly to design possible renovation and expansion
By MICHAEL
BOYLAN
The Peachtree City Library Commission took another step towards a possible bond referendum for library renovation and expansion on Wednesday evening. The commission approved the choice of the Leo Daly architectural firm to come up with the conceptual design and cost estimate for the project. Director of Leisure Services Randy Gaddo and members of the library staff chose Daly over two other firms. Daly's asking price was $48,500 plus an additional $4,500 for reimbursables bringing the total to $53,000. If the bond referendum should pass in November, $20,000 will be returned as a credit towards construction. The $53,000 will come from the Library Enhancement Fund. The fund started after a SPLOST was passed for the county in 1992 for the Fayette County Library construction. Funds collected in excess of four million dollars were distributed and the Peachtree City Library got $428,000. A portion of those funds were used for a 10,000 square foot expansion at the library in 1995. The Library Commission is getting a lot for their money, including a 3-D model that will show how the library will be renovated, a 20-year master plan, an evaluation of existing utility systems and four two-day work sessions where the commission, staff and committee groups can offer their input on progress. "We know what we want, but we don't know how to go about designing it," said Gaddo. "They will be able to pull our vision out and put it on paper." Daly, which is currently working on the Lovejoy Library as well as the Southern Federal Credit Union in Peachtree City, has also offered to assist in the presentation to council, which is the first step to get on the November ballot, as well as presentations to civic and community groups to drum up interest and support for the project. The commission estimates going before council in August. "They want to be a part of the presentations because they are the best qualified to speak on the design," said Gaddo. Commission chairman Chris Clark expressed a bit of concern over the cost of $53,000 because it would only leave $8,000 in the Library Enhancement Fund. The rest of the commission understood his concerns but felt that this is exactly what the fund is for. Marie Washburn, vice chairman of the commission, stated that "the fund is to be used to enhance the library and its services." Commission member Barbara Swafford agreed. "The Commission has a larger role than to just be the gatekeeper of the enhancement fund," Swafford said. "We are to be the liaison between the community and the staff. If the best company does the design, the referendum for the renovation has a better chance to happen." The commission then unanimously approved the choice of Daly. There is a lot of work to be done over the next few months as the commission readies presentations to get a bond referendum on the November ballot. After the vote commission member Madqe Quick urged her colleagues to take a deep breath, adding "We've got a lot of work ahead of us."
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