West Lafayette Public Library to be closed in November for construction – Journal & Courier

WEST LAFAYETTE Contractors working on the West Lafayette Public Library asked the Board of Trustees to close access to the library during interior construction.

The request came during the Oct. 13 board meeting, when trustees voted to close the library fromNov. 15 to Nov. 30.

There will be some significant interior remodeling work in the Library going on and our contractor has asked that we not open it to the public at that time, so we can maintain the proper safety protocols, said Nick Schenkel, director of the West Lafayette Public Library.

In 2019, the West Lafayette City Council issued $11 million in bonds to pay for the renovation and expansion of the library. Construction began in 2021 and is expected to be finished by February of 2022.

At this months meeting, Scott Senefeld, landscape architect and owner's representative for The Veridus Group, outlined the progress of the project to the board.

The Veridus Group is one of the major contractors working on this project. The other two major contractors being krM Architects and Wilhelm Construction. All three contractors are based in Indianapolis.

Earlier this week, contractors finished placing three new air handling units on top of the library. They are expected to finish the installation of these units next week.

Constructors are almost finished completing the storm line on the south side of the library.

Regarding interior renovations, contractors reportedly have completed 90% of the framing and drywall on the second floor and have started renovation on a portion of the first floor.

Other West Lafayette business:

Outside of the library, roads are congested with construction. On Oct. 6, during a Board of Public Works and Safety meeting, the City of West Lafayette Engineering Department requested the closure of the alley on the Northside of the West Lafayette Public Library. They requested that the alley be closed for the entire week of Oct. 11, or longer if work was delayed by the weather.

Contractors have also been working with Indiana American Water, which is currently replacing drainage on the south side of the library along Columbia Street. Indiana American Water is expected to finish its project by the end of November.

We originally asked if they could push back the startup to Nov. 15 when the library was going to be closed, but because of their structure and funding they have to be complete by the end of November, said Senefeld.

The project is currently expected to be completed on schedule.

Noe Padilla is a reporter for the Journal & Courier. Email him at Npadilla@jconline.com and follow him on Twitterat1NoePadilla.

Read the original here:
West Lafayette Public Library to be closed in November for construction - Journal & Courier