Construction at the Farmington Community Library is likely to begin Tuesday, Sept. 15, after the planned start date slipped from an earlier Sept. 8 target.
Library Director Sasha Matthews wrote in her September report to the board that the start date is "likely to be" Sept. 15. Staff have already begun moving workspaces and clearing storage areas to prepare.
Aaron Phillips of McCarthy & Smith, the construction manager the board hired in January for $472,951, recommended back in March that work begin in September after school-district contractors wrap up their summer jobs. The library's May budget hearing estimated Phase One construction costs at roughly $15.1 million.
Board expands oversight contract
At its Aug. 13 meeting, the board voted 6-0 to expand its contract with RealPoint, a Plante Moran subsidiary that serves as the library's owner's representative on the project. The original deal, approved 7-0 in May for $26,000, covered only Phase One. The amended contract now includes potential Phase Two services.
No dollar figure was disclosed.
The scope of Phase Two has not been publicly defined.
Board Secretary Jim White said he was "happy to have RealPoint in place to help with what we don't know that we don't know."
At the board's March 12 meeting, S. Charlesbois noted that the library's "previous major construction" in 2003 "was difficult" and suggested owner's representation could help.
What patrons should know
The library has been posting renovation updates on social media and its website. Patrons can sign up for email building alerts at farmlib.org to track changes to service during construction.
At the Farmington Hills location on West 12 Mile Road, new LED lights will be installed in the adult fiction section when that area closes for construction work in September.
The board of trustees meets Thursday, Sept. 10, at 6 p.m. The agenda includes a director's report, subcommittee updates and new business on updating the library's bylaws.
Coming up at FCL
- The Friends of the Library host author TJ Klune at the Farmington Hills branch on Sunday, Oct. 18.
- September is Library Card Sign-Up Month at FCL.
