Community Corner

Contractor Hired for Library Renovation

Renovations on the Des Plaines Valley Public Library District's Romeoville branch are scheduled to get under way in March.

The first phase of renovations to the Romeoville branch of the are set to start next month, according to Library Director Scott Pointon.

On Feb. 8, library board trustees approved a $5.8 million construction bid from the Lombard Company of Alsip. The board also approved several alternate bids, bringing the total bid approval to $6.3 million.

The two-story library building, purchased last year from Fountaindale Public Library District, in two phases, beginning with the basement.

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But before renovations can begin, Pointon said, tiles containing asbestos must first be removed.

“The era of the building is common for floor tile with an adhesive containing asbestos,” he said, adding that includes the entranceway and areas of the basement. “There’s little dribs and drabs of it throughout the building.”

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Asbestos abatement will be done in phases, first in the lower level and then later on the first floor before the second phase of construction begins, Pointon said.

“It’s a fairly simple job,” he said.

The renovations will allow the library to make use of the entire 48,000-square-foot building.

“(Construction) will begin as early as possible in the month of March,” Pointon said.

Once the basement renovation is completed, library operations will move downstairs as work begins on the second floor. That will allow the library to remain open during construction, according to Pointon.

The entire project is slated to be completed in February 2012.

“Then we’ll have a library twice the size it is now,” Pointon said.

The renovation is part of a $23 million referendum approved by voters in February 2010. Referendum funding will pay for a similar project to expand the Lockport branch, 121 E. 8th St., from 16,500 to 20,000 square feet. A new, 20,000-square-foot Crest Hill branch is also tentatively slated to be built at Caton Farm and Weber roads.


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