The Farmington Community Library's multimillion-dollar renovation cleared a key hurdle July 15 when the board of trustees voted 6-0 to approve the Phase One construction bid package from McCarthy & Smith, the project's construction manager.

The meeting lasted six minutes.

Vice President D. Muthukuda presided at the special meeting; Trustee Jim White made the motion and Treasurer K. Brown seconded it. Board President E. McClellan and Trustee Doby were absent.

Now the board turns to what construction means for the two branches that serve Farmington and Farmington Hills. According to the Aug. 13 board meeting packet, Thursday's regular meeting will take up 2027 building closures and an amendment to owner representation services, alongside presentations from RealPoint, the board's owner's representative, and on renovation communication plans.

The specific closure schedule, including which branch closes and for how long, has not been made public. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the Farmington Hills branch, 32737 W. 12 Mile Rd., with two public comment periods of up to three minutes per speaker.

McCarthy & Smith was hired as construction manager on Jan. 8 at a cost of $472,951. The firm presented its guaranteed maximum price package to the board June 11, prompting trustees to schedule the July 15 special meeting for a formal vote. The total construction bid amount was not recorded in available meeting documents.

The library's fiscal year 2026-27 budget estimates total costs of $15,092,805 against revenue of $9,045,053, reflecting the scale of the capital project. Cost increases during planning were attributed to "scope creep," including features like an adult changing table and infrastructure for future EV charging stations, according to a May 14 facilities subcommittee report.

McCarthy & Smith project director Aaron Phillips recommended at the March 12 board meeting that construction begin in September, after contractors finish summer work for school districts. Director Sasha Matthews wrote in her August director's report that staff are "starting our renovation preparation with communication to staff and identifying immediate moves that need to take place prior to construction happening."

RealPoint was approved as owner's representative in May for $26,000. During public comment at the March 12 meeting, resident S. Charlesbois told the board that the library's last major construction in 2003 was difficult and that owner's representation could help.

As we reported Aug. 11, the Aug. 13 agenda also includes a proposed library foundation and revised giving policy. Residents can attend Thursday's meeting in person or contact the library at 248-553-0300.