Progress report

Construction cost estimates for new Rockport library within target range

Mon, 08/06/2018 - 2:00pm

    ROCKPORT — While private fundraising continues to help build a new Rockport library, three solicited contractor estimates indicate what to anticipate for construction costs. They are, to the relief of the Rockport Select Board, in line with plans, as the town gets ready to ask taxpayers for approval to borrow money in November.

    The estimates to build the new 7,000 square-foot library at 1 Limerock Street, in Rockport Village, range from $2.6 million to $2.8 million. There is a 10 percent contingency and a 5 percent inflation factor built in to all the estimates. 

    Construction costs do not reflect total project costs, architect Stephen Smith stressed. And while the construction estimates comprise foundation pouring and structural work, there will be a bid alternate of approximately $100,000 for terraces, sidewalks and landscaping.

    Additionally, there will be another $500,000 to $600,000 in soft costs; e.g., fixtures, furnishings, legal and administrative oversight, engineering and architectural work, utility charges and more.

    That takes to total project cost to approximately $3.5 million, which is what the town had specified last winter as a target price.

    The Select Board is hoping that voters will approve borrowing money to cover $1.5 million of that $3.5 million cost. The remaining $2 million is to be raised by private donations. Efforts to solicit funds are now underway by the newly created Rockport Library Foundation.

    There will be more costs associated with the library project not falling under the $3.5 million project umbrella. They include creating 10 parking spaces along Limerock Street, which involves cutting into the existing Memorial Park, and reconfiguring the intersection of Limerock and Union streets with Russell Avenue.

    Those two auxiliary projects are considered separate from library project costs and will built into the annual Rockport municipal budget. The town is hoping the Maine Department of Transportation will contribute to the rebuilding of the intersection.

    The proposed new library is to be set on a 5,000 square foot footprint at 1 Limerock Street, in Rockport Village, on the site of the existing library. That empty building, sitting on a 3,400 square foot footprint, was constructed in 1949 and expanded several times over the decades. In 2013, the town determined it unsuitable for renovations and marked the building for eventual demolition.

    The town’s 32,000-book collection and library operations are currently housed in rented office space on Route 1.

     

    Estimates

    Last month, Rockport  hired Tom Albertson, principal of the Rockport-based Albertson Builders and Services, to produce a new library construction estimate.

    His estimate, of $2.7 million, does not include site development or existing library building demolition costs. (See attached PDF for Albertson’s estimate).

    Meanwhile, project architect Stephen Smith had also solicited estimates from two different contractors. He declined to identify them, because they may ultimately want to bid on the job, he said.

    Their estimates were $2.6 million and $2.8 million, Smith said.

    All three estimates do not reflect the $100,000 bid alternate for landscaping and building of terraces. Nonetheless, he said, the estimates produced  “still leaves us under budget.”

    In February, the town had learned that the cost estimates for the new library were $750,000 over budget, which resulted in the town select board adjusting course and pushing the municipal bond proposal to November. 

    Smith and others got to work trimming features, and ultimately making major changes to the mechanical, electrical and structural plans.

    The latest costs estimates reflect those changes.

    “The next step in the planning process is to have the town’s owner’s representative, Phi Home Builders, review the estimates, recommend adjustments, and effectively give the building plan an official ‘seal of approval,’” said Town Manager Rick Bates, in an Aug. 3 news release. “We expect to have that report in time for the September 10 Select Board meeting. Our goal there is to ensure that our cost estimating comes in as close to where final bids end up next spring. We want to avoid surprises.”

     Members of the building committee include Bates, select board members Doug Cole and Ken McKinley, Library Committee member Ann Filley, and Librarian Ben Blackmon, Architect Steve Smith, Engineer Will Gartley, and owner’s representative Charlie Frattini, who is with Phi Home Builders, based in Rockport. 

    Another group of Rockport volunteers have formed the nonprofit Rockport Library Foundation, whose purpose is to solicit contributions to complement the $1.5 million municipal bond.

    The board of directors includes:

    Ann Filley, president 

    John Viehman, vice president 

    Joan Welsh,  secretary

    Bill Leone,  treasurer

    Peter Ralston

    Cathy Monroe

     

     

     Related stories

    Rockport selects owner's representative for library construction project

    Rockport adjusts plans after receiving costlier library construction estimates

    Rockport Library design review draws standing-room only crowd

    Rockport residents encouraged to weigh on in library designs

    Rockport gets acquainted with new library plans

    Rockport survey respondents want scaled-down new library design; remain split on location

    Rockport chooses Portland firm for library survey

    Rockport leader pushes for consistent public process as library project continues

    Rockport group's offer to buy neighboring property for library project put on hold

    Rockport chooses home site on which to build new library, foregoes RES

    Rockport group outlines real estate deal to town: Raise money, town buys property, group designs building

    Rockport considers citizen proposal to buy property behind library for construction project

    Rockport to hold series of meetings with engineers, architects, fundraiser about library location, cost

    Rockport decides against demolishing its library, for the time being

    Rockport outlines next steps: Tear down existing library? Reconsider RES site? Survey citizens?

    Rockport Select Board, Library Committee to talk about next steps

    Advice to Rockport leaders: Go slow, offer distinct library proposals to citizens

    By nine votes, Rockport says no to building a new library in Rockport Village; approves ordinance amendments

    Rockport to hear new library progress report, see proposed designs

    Rockport ready to contract with Portland architect

    Rockport Select Board to consider library architect choice

    Rockport committee to narrow field of library architects Wednesday

    Rockport considers site survey, borings at Memorial Park for new library site

    • Rockport appoints committee to plan library construction project

    • Rockport signs intent to lease Route 1 office for library location

    • Rockport talks tonight behind closed doors about Route 1 building lease

    • Rockport Select Board to consider leasing Route 1 space for temporary library space

    • Rockport Select Board hopes to move library before winter sets in

    • Studies are in: Rockport Library building in poor condition, more space needed

    • Initial Rockport Library findings: Citizens want improved service, better parking

    • Rockport library consultant wants to hear from citizens, presents initial findings April 29

    • Rockport selectmen vote no to placing another library question on June ballot

    • Rockport addresses proposed June Town Meeting article to keep library in situ

    • What is Rockport Library, and what might it become? 

    • Rockport residents vote against a new library, placing it at former RES site 

    • Rockport leaders approve two library referendums; next stop, voting booth

     

    • Rockport Public Library hearing: Aug. 5 terms of engagement 

     

    • Rockport leaders consider controversial library vote, water quality, real estate acquisition 

    • Rockport subcommittee recommends RES land as library site

    • Debate over future of Rockport Public Library: Expand on-site or build on former school land  


    Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657