Lynn Library work behind schedule

LYNN – Due to weather-related difficulties and necessary additional renovations, the fences and construction equipment on the lawn of the Lynn Public Library will be there just a bit longer, according to City of Lynn Inspectional Services Chief and Building Commissioner Michael Donovan.Renovation work on the 111-year-old building began in April and was scheduled to be done by Sept. 1.But extra cracks in the exterior limestone found during construction and a rainy October pushed the completion date for Belmont contractor Eagle Point Builders to the end of this month, said Donovan.He said after the outside was washed, 1,000 additional feet of linear cracks were found. The rain in October then delayed the pouring of the concrete sidewalks outside of the front steps.?Now, technically, in the contract, that?s not an excuse,” Donovan said. “But at the same time, in reality, (the contractor)?s not going to do the exterior work in the pouring rain.”Further repairs yet to be finished include installing granite and railings for the front stairs and finishing the new handicap entrance to the children?s room. The contractor has so far fixed the skylight and waterproofed the roof, refurbished the limestone walls, added an electronic door to the existing handicap-accessible entrance and fixed the front steps and columns.The project has cost $500,000, including the $56,000 needed after construction began to fix the cracks found, Donovan said. The money came from a $1.2 million account created from the sale of three Lynn library branches a few years ago. The North Common Street building is now the only library branch in Lynn.Lynn Public Library chief librarian Theresa Hurley said the renovations have not hampered building traffic.?Maybe the first couple of weeks, (people) may have thought it was closed because it was gated off in the front,” she said. “But we tried to put signs out directing them where to go. I think we?ve been just as (busy), if not busier.”The construction was also publicized on the library?s website and Facebook page.The library, which has a 140,000-item collection, has not seen many major renovations over the years, Hurley said.?Pretty much what you see is what you get,” she said.Donovan said the last major repairs he could recall were in the late 1980s and 1990s when the roof was fixed and half of the library?s windows were restored. He also said the dirt cleaned off of the limestone walls may have never been touched.?I?m not seeing any records indicated it?s ever been washed before, let?s put it that way,” Donovan said. “It may have been and they didn?t keep records. It could have been done when it was 50 years old.”Hurley said added accessibility to the children?s entrance, to the disabled and parents with strollers, was especially needed.?I had worked down there for 15 years, and when classes would come, unfortunately, if there was a child in a wheelchair, we would have to bring books up to them ? They couldn?t get there. We don?t have an elevator. It?s just the way the building was built in 1900,” she said.Once the construction is complete, Hurley said she?s looking forward to a grand opening celebration.Even with the setbacks, Donovan said that he is pleased with the work that has been done.?It?s a nice project,” he said. “The library?s a beautiful building. And hopefully this is going to restore some of what it was.”Sarah Mupo can be reached at [email protected].