SWAMPSCOTT — The Public Library Trustees gathered Monday evening to discuss updates regarding the library renovation on 61 Burril St.
According to Board Director Johnothan Nichols, the request for proposal (RFP) has been completed, and the renovations will be moving into the next phase of operations. What comes next, Nichols said, will be the start of a process of beginning to accept bids from competing entities, once the RFP is sent to Natalie Swanstrom of the Purchasing Department.
Nichols added how the board will use the $800,000 that was previously approved by the town to fund the project. After that, the town will begin looking at proposals from different construction companies in order to find a clear path forward.
“We’ll be formally raising our hand, so to speak,” Nichols said, “So we can start looking around at competing proposals from different companies.”
The renovations would cover a portion of the front side of the library building, spanning from the main vestibule and door-way all the way to the corner of the right side of the building.
The board cited the reasons for renovations were rooted around the need for sewer repair underground. Issues with the doorway and lack of accessibility for baby-carriages also prompted the renovation.
It was noted during the meeting how the sewer-line runs underneath the patio area, which will also need to be torn up during construction.
Nichols added that the need for construction presented a good chance to reimagine and modernize the front of building, while also making it more accessible to the public.
“I’m hopeful that we can get started [on renovations] by spring, if everything goes well,” Nichols said.
