MARBLEHEAD — The Abbot Public Library Building Renovation Committee voted unanimously to approve a contractor for its ongoing construction efforts.
During its meeting on Friday, the committee chose Stewart Construction, Inc. as its contractor for further construction, after reviewing submitted bids.
The work will include a concrete ramp, the rebuilding of the retaining wall on Maverick Street, as well as repairing the landscaping, which includes the granite steps.
Demolition work would likely be conducted first, with care taken so that patrons can access the library for as long as possible.
“Keeping the front entrance open as long as possible is the key,” Chair Gary Amberik said, but acknowledged that there would be a point where they would need to fully close down the front of library “and do the demolition directly in front of the doorway.”
To minimize patron disruptions, Amberik suggested that this work might occur on a Thursday morning, when the library is not open, or they could simply close the library for that particular day.
“It’s going to be pretty loud anyway, and maybe disruptive,” he said.
The plan, Amberik said, is to work on either the concrete ramp or the front entrance “one at a time,” and reiterated that access to the library through its front entrance would be prioritized.
The work is expected to cost $34,200 and last two to three-and–a-half weeks.
