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Library trustees accept bid

STEUBENVILLE — The board of trustees of the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County met in special session Tuesday afternoon and accepted the low bid from Vendrick Construction Co. of Brookfield Township, Ohio, for the renovation of the main library on South Fourth Street.

According to library Executive Director Alan Hall, Vendrick submitted a bid for $3,716,800 for the interior upgrade of the library to bring it into compliance with Americans with Disabilities standards.

“A review of the company revealed that they have successfully completed two library projects recently, including the renovation and addition of the Ashtabula County District Library that included the renovation of another Carnegie Library and adding a new street-level entrance. They also constructed the new Cortland Branch of the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library. Both libraries were pleased with Vendrick’s work and ability to keep to a schedule. The company also recently completed the new senior administrative building in Belmont County, near St. Clairsville,” explained Hall.

He said a report of the re-bidding for the project was received from architects Adam Cummins and Tom Stanko following a review by the architectural firm of Valentour, English, Bodnar & Howell.

“The re-bid produced 10 bids from contractors, some of which had not bid during the first round of bidding. The re-bid reduced the overall bid range by an average of $700,000, placing the project below the revised estimate of $ 4.2 million,” said Hall.

Also bidding on the project were:

¯ Colaianni Construction Co., $3,910,000.

¯ Fleeher Construction Co., $3,969,949.

¯ Lombardi Construction Co., $3,992,000.

¯ Volpatt Construction Co., $4,105,000.

¯ Cattrell Cos. Inc., $4,128,000.

¯ Cavcon Inc., $4,172,000.

¯ Beaver Construction Inc., $4,215,000.

¯ Grae-Con Construction Inc., $4,326,000.

¯ Yarborough Development Inc., $4,346,789.

“It is expected that construction work can begin in January once all contracts are completed and the proper permits are issued,” added Hall.

The library board also officially transferred ownership of a new fire hydrant installed on South Fourth Street and paid for by the library to the city of Steubenville, Hall noted.

This was also the 2018 organizational meeting for the library board, with Stanley Gaston elected president, Maddalena Repella vice president and Lydia Spragin secretary. Steubenville Mayor-elect Jerry Barilla resigned his seat on the board and will appoint a successor for his position.

Hall provided the trustees with his retirement notice, effective March 31, 2019, in conjunction with the completion of the main library project. He has been with the library system since 1983, and will complete a library career spanning 45 years.

Hall and Building and Grounds Supervisor Bob Dibenedetto reviewed the original project plans after the first round of bids were in excess of the 10 percent range required by the Ohio Revised Code.

“We reviewed the plans looking for cost savings options with a goal of retaining the foot print of the project and the historical aspect of adding onto the 1902 Carnegie building. The plans are to make the 115-year-old building ADA accessible for the first time in its history We then met with the architects at Valentour, English, Bodnar & Howell to re-develop the plans with options,” explained Hall.

The project originally was estimated at $3.4 million by the architects.

According to Hall, the contract changes include:

¯ Removal of the asbestos removal contract from the general contract and making it a direct contract with the library system to clarify the work being done, and performing the work in advance of the general contract. That work is under way with LEPI Environmental Services LLC and involves primarily the removal of floor tile from before 1960, as well as some minor ductwork removal from the roof.

¯ Windows in the new building will be changed to fixed sash.

¯ A floor coverings contract will be removed from the general contract and placed under the authority of Hall and Dibenedetto.

¯ Equipment and library furniture contracts will be removed from the general contract and placed under the authority of Hall and Dibenedetto with as much existing furniture to be reused or renovated as possible.

¯ Hall and Dibenedetto will be responsible for all cabinetry and casework.

¯ All interior lighting equipment will be converted to industry standard LED fixtures that will fit into the ceiling grid.

¯ All computer wire and audiovisual equipment will be removed from the general contract and will be performed and purchased by library staff and the library’s IT staff.

¯ The ceilings in the new building will be converted to standard 2-by-4 insert panels, eliminating bulkheads and vaulted ceilings, which will be replaced with cathedral ceilings in the computer/reference area and the children’s library.

“Some of the library’s furniture has been purchased in the past 25 years and is in good condition and can easily be re-used with minor restoration. Other pieces were purchased from the state of Ohio in the 1930s and will be used in the office and administrative area of the building. The existing shelving in the children’s library and reference room has been dismantled and placed in storage for reuse in the new building,” cited Hall.

“I am excited that the library system was able to re-work the plans so that the re-bid will allow the main library to become a reality. Our Carnegie building was the first in the state of Ohio to be funded by Andrew Carnegie on June 30, 1899, and is today, unfortunately, the last of 816 public library buildings in Ohio that is not ADA accessible. This will finally allow all residents to enter and access the building with the new street-level entrance and elevator,” said Hall.

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