Library Expansion Could Start This Summer

The Wyckoff Public Library's   could begin this summer, as the Board of Trustees are moving closer to selecting a construction firm and manager to guide the project.

Trustees also continue to explore alternate sites to rent during construction, which would allow the project to proceed more quickly, perhaps shaving months off a construction period that could last a year to 16 months.

Board Chairman Henry Shotmeyer said Thursday that a bid opening last week went "pretty well," with more than 20 potential firms submitting themselves for the job. The lowest bids among the firms came in within the library's more than $4 million budget, amassed from surplus that has been saved for more than 18 years. Although the chairman said there was approximately a $1 million difference between the lowest and highest proposals, enough low bids were received to give the library a choice.

The proposals will be reviewed by the library attorney, who will suggest qualified low bidders. Shotmeyer said the board should be in position to select a firm by its July meeting.

The chairman also expects the board to be able to vote on a construction manager in July. Members of the board recently interviewed three "well-qualified applicants," in the words of Treasurer Alma Mader, for the construction manager role, which would be the day-to-day manager of the expansion. Suggested by BH&A Architects, which drafted the expansion plan, the applicants all are experienced with library work, Mader said.

Trustee Vince Antonacci said the board shouldn't have to widen its scope, as the board should be able to select a qualified manager from the three applicants.

Those three currently are reviewing the expansion site plans and are expected to submit proposals for how they would manage construction by the end of next week.

Meanwhile, the board continues to explore available spaces to rent, both to cut down on construction time and to offer a better experience for patrons as construction begins. 

The search thus far has identified spaces in the township and beyond that are either too small or too expensive. However, trustee Tony Donato, a Realtor, is exploring the feasibility of leasing a property in Mahwah, just over the township border. 

However, the site is approximately 15,000 square feet—much too big for the library's temporary purposes, as not all services are expected to be offered in a temporary space. Donato hopes the land's owners would subdivide the property to offer the library about 5,000 square feet, although he "needs confirmation that they'll subdivide that small and do a year or 16-month lease.

"They're not anxious to deal with us," he said.

The property would cost the library about $6.50 per square foot of space.

Trustee Grace White offered the possibility of approaching township churches that may have space to rent, an idea that Committeeman Brian Scanlan, liaison to the library board, will explore.

Should the library board not be able to find suitable space, it's "not the end of the world if we have to stay here and phase it (construction)," Antonacci said.

The library expansion, which has been years in the making, will offer more space and services to all, with the addition of a significantly bigger children's room (1,750 square feet currently to 4,750 square feet) and a new community meeting room.

Every area of the library would be enlarged, with the establishment of a young adults section, more study space and more room for audiovisual materials. An elevator would be installed, and capital improvements would be made, including an improved HVAC system, a sprinkler system, new carpeting and lighting.

Shotmeyer said the board would proceed to attaining building permits to commence construction soon after a firm and construction manager are retained.