Resources | Blog | Additions | Challenges of Adding a Second Story Addition above a Garage

Bob Benedict | January 8, 2016

A second story room addition above an existing garage can make a substantial change to your current homes curb appeal and of course create an increase to your living space. However, like all remodeling projects, adding a second story addition has a broad range of complexity and challenges.

Despite the overall complexity, one of the simplest second story additions is to add new living space above an existing garage. Most 2-car garages in our area are roughly 440 to 500 square feet. Adding this much space is enough for a really nice master suite, or a couple of kids bedrooms plus full bathroom or a bedroom, bathroom and nice laundry room or some combination of these rooms.

Before 2nd Story above garage

Here are some of the challenges to adding a second story addition above the garage:

1) One of the more obvious challenges is aligning the new floor above the garage with the existing second floor of the house.

This can be very challenging and typically involves shortening or increasing the height of the existing garage walls and changes to the existing door and window headers so that the new and old floors align correctly.

2) Blending the new exterior to the existing so that the addition cannot be detected can be challenging from a fit and finish perspective, and from an aesthetic perspective.

2nd Story Addition Above Garage

Many times the exterior finish of the garage and main house may be more than 20+ years old. The difficulty is finding siding, shingles, brick or stone to match the existing house so the addition can be clad with an exterior that matches or complements the existing house. A garage is a large structure, so the architect/designer needs to be careful to not draw attention away from the main house when adding the additional mass of a second story on top of a garage.

3) Building a stiff floor with the long spans of the garage below.

Garages are typically 20 to 24 from front to back and side to side. These long open spans can make it difficult to build a stiff floor. Designing a floor system to support the people and rooms above and not interfere with car parking below can be difficult. The floor needs stiff enough so it complies with the code, does not bounce, and tiles dont crack. The thicker the floor system the less bounce and the fewer posts needed in the garage. The challenge is to keep the new floor from interfering with the garage door as it opens, and to align with the existing second floor.

4) Creating a balanced heating and cooling of the new space.

Balanced heating and cooling of the new space is critical, and can be challenging. Comfort of the occupants, energy efficiency, and protecting pipes from freezing is the heating and cooling systems job. Most HVAC systems in our area are in the center of basements which renders them ineffective and inefficient in providing adequate heating and cooling above a garage. Some sort of additional system design is almost always required. The good news here is that there are many very good options available to accomplish this task. Tip: The cost of spray foam insulation has come down quite a bit over the past couple years. At a minimum, consider spending a few extra dollars to have the floor above the garage spray foam insulated. This will help reduce the HVAC load and increase comfort.

2nd Story Addition Above Garage Completed

Before addition above garage

5) Creating a smooth flowing transition from the existing interior living space to the new space above the garage.

Transitioning from the existing living space to the new space above the garage can be very challenging. Sometimes space in an existing bedroom or even a bathroom has to be sacrificed to create access into the new addition above the garage. Contrary to that scenario there are some homes that only require a minor change to the interior such as removing a closet at the end of a hall to access the new space.

6) Extending plumbing pipes and drains to a new bathroom or laundry room above a garage can be very challenging and can have a significant impact on other areas of the existing house.

The location of the existing house waste water drain can substantially increase complexity. If the existing drain connection is in the middle of the house, you may incur significant drywall damage, framing reconfiguration, cabinet removal or even duct relocation to extend the new drain to the existing.

The challenges of adding a second story addition above a garage can be substantial, but if you have the right house, in the right neighborhood, and need more space; this is one way to gain the space.

What does it cost to add a room above the garage? As with all remodeling projects, when it comes to cost, the key phrase is It Depends. It depends on the number of challenges, the difficulty of the challenges, the level of fit and finish, and how much the space the project impacts other parts of your home.

So- very roughly- an easy to execute, simple fit and finish, basic addition above a garage could be as low as $275 per square foot. This assumes that all the stars align. If you are thinking about this type project I would start at $300+ per square foot because star alignment is a rare occurrence.

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Challenges of Adding a Second Story Addition above a ...

Hooks third baseman J.D Davis prepares to bat in the third inning against the Midland RockHounds on April, 24, 2017, at Whataburger Field(Photo: Charlie Blalock/Corpus Christi)

If there is one thing Ive learned covering minor league baseball off and on for more than a decade, it's that the goal is to develop players. But within that development is winning.

A minor league teams manager and its coaches want to see a player get better to ultimately earn that promotion but also they like to see how a player reacts in crucial situations. It could be a game in April or late August, but a players desire to win is something that is measured when managers and coaches talk to those in the front office.

Last week marked the first time in two seasons the Hooks had not won a Texas League South Division first half title. And with as successful as Rodney Linares has been here as manager and at other minor league stops in the Houston Astros system, Im sure he was frustrated.

The first half featured some frustrating moments for the hometown team, including a 10-game losing streak that ultimately kept the Hooks from having a shot at that title.

But the beauty of the minor leagues is that there is a second half. Player development will again be the primary focus, but it will be interesting to see how this team pushes over the final two-and-half months of the season to keep the Hooks playoff streak intact.

Hooks' Drew Ferguson celebrates with teammates after scoring against Arkansas on Saturday, April 15, 2017, at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi.(Photo: Gabe Hernandez/Caller-Times)

TEXAS LEAGUE SCHEDULING

This might be a little too inside baseball but it might be time for the Texas League to work on its schedule. Late in May and earlier this month, the Hooks had two extended road trips one to Springfield and Tulsa and this past weeks road trip in San Antonio and Midland sandwiched around a four-game homestand. Earlier this year they had two eight-game homestands surrounding a four-game road trip.

The Texas League is one of the tougher minor leagues when it comes to travel and it might be time to try to alleviate that.

In previous years, teams played five-game series. Naturally you want more games and series with teams in your division but I think it needs to be more balanced to where we see the North Division teams more instead of three games at a time. Currently each team plays 12 cross-division games against an opponent, six at home and six on the road. I think there could be more and it would help on the travel, especially.

Scheduling is hard but I think it would help the clubs in terms of promotions knowing they will be home for extended periods.

LOOKING TO THE SECOND HALF

The second half officially begins Tuesday and the Hooks have some momentum heading into it.

Here are a few things and players to watch:

Kyle Tucker and Jason Martin: The two recent call-ups have been solid additions for the Hooks over the last month and I expect both to continue to trend upward as the summer progresses.

Starting pitching: The Hooks have had some solid starting pitching this season only to struggle to score runs or to see the bullpen struggle to keep leads. But if pitchers can continue to go five, six, even seven innings, that helps the playoff chances and makes pitching coaches and the manager smile.

J.D. Davis promotion?: Davis has certainly shown that he is deserving of the call to Fresno. But a logjam in the infield in the Astros organization could make it difficult. He currently leads the league with 17 home runs and a .556 slugging percentage. With as much fun as he is to watch, it might be time for the third baseman to test his mettle in the Pacific Coast League.

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HAYWARD: Second half offers Hooks another playoff shot - Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Apparently Flyers General Manager Ron Hextall wasn't kidding around when he praised Scott Laughton's performance on the Lehigh Valley Phantoms last season.

Laughton, a 2012 first-round (20th overall) draft pick, watched his stock with the organization drop over the previous couple years.

But a steady effort in Allentown impressed Hextall enough to earn a bit of a surprise spot on the team's NHL expansion draft (Vegas Golden Knights) protected list, which was released Sunday morning.

Also protected (as expected) were forwards Claude Giroux, Jake Voracek, Wayne Simmonds, Sean Couturier, Brayden Schenn and Valtteri Filppula, along with defensemen Shayne Gostisbehere, Radko Gudas and Brandon Manning.

In what might be considered another mild surprise, the Flyers chose to protect rookie goalie Anthony Stolarz rather than veteran Michal Neuvirth, who signed a two-year, $5-million contract back in early March.

Also left unprotected: Forwards Jordan Weal (a potential unrestricted free agent) and alternate captain Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. On defense, Andrew MacDonald was not protected but his big contract makes it unlikely he will leave town.

It looks like the Flyers still believe Laughton can be an impact player someday in the NHL.

The 23-year-old center from Oakville, Ont. actually made it into a five-game trial with the Flyers way back in 2013. After a six-game stint with the Phantoms, he returned to his junior team (Oshawa Generals of OHL) for the 2013-14 campaign where he lit it up for 40 goals, 87 points in just 54 games.

He would play 102 games with the Flyers over the next two seasons but produced only seven goals in 71 games two seasons back and early this year was sent back to the Phantoms, where he produced 19 goals and 39 points in 60 games.

More importantly, his two-way game improved and he played a big part in getting the Phantoms to the Calder Cup playoffs for the first time since leaving Philadelphia nearly a decade ago.

Both Hextall and Flyers head coach Dave Hakstol have praised Laughton's work ethic. So maybe he really does have a future with the big team in Philadelphia.

Laughton played on a first line with Taylor Leier and Colin McDonald against the Hershey Bears in the first round of the playoffs (which the Phantoms lost).

"He had a terrific year," Hextall said of Laughton. "I can't say I'm surprised. I'm proud of Scott. In my mind, Scott's becoming a pro right now."

Laughton might have been a victim of too-high expectations.

Once nicknamed "Captain Canada" when he wore the "C'' for Team Canada in the World Juniors, Laughton was under a lot of pressure to score goals when he's really not a goal-scorer. He's more of a defensive type player.

He actually started last season with the Flyers but was sent down after just two games.

"He had a lot come at him early,'' Hextall said. "He comes up to the NHL, 'wow, one year in the minors, I'm in the NHL' and life's good.

"Maybe, a kid like that thinks he's got it made now. But he comes down here (to Allentown), he's done a really good job. He's become a better player, a better pro. I think he understands his skill set, he understands playing the whole sheet of the ice. I'm not sure he had that grasp.''

If he keeps improving, he could figure in the Flyers' future plans.

"It's just my confidence, it's a big part of my game,'' Laughton said during the Hershey series. "Just getting that back throughout the year, I think it took a little bit of time.

"This year has been good for me. I think I've taken a step forward.''

Meanwhile, any questions about the worth of Stolarz to the organization appear to have been answered.

The 23-year-old Edison, N.J., native by way of Jackson impressed in a brief trial with the Flyers this season while Neuvirth was hurt.

Stolarz, 6-foot-6, 210 pounds, was a 2012 second-round (45th overall) draft pick.

He went 2-1-1 with a 2.07 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage, including a brilliant shutout of the Red Wings in Detroit.

He's currently sidelined with a foot injury which kept him out of the Hershey playoff series. But the Flyers thought enough of him (and perhaps are confident Vegas won't take Neuvirth) to keep him in their future plans.

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Laughton, Stolarz surprise additions to Flyers' protected list - Allentown Morning Call

Bradley International Airport has added nonstop service between Hartford and Edinburgh, Scotland on Norwegian Air.

The innaugural flight from the United Kingdom was celebrated Friday. Norwegian is to operate year-round, three times a week, with a twice-weekly schedule during the winter season. The route is Bradley's second transatlantic direct flight. In September, the airport started service to Dublin, Ireland on Aer Lingus.

"Every day more and more passengers are recognizing that Bradley International Airport is faster and more convenient than other nearby airports," Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said. "And with the addition of new flights to Europe, as well as new destinations across the country, that reputation continues to improve."

Airport and state officials also announced recently that Spirit Airlines is expanding operations at the Windsor Locks airport, beginning daily nonstop seasonal service to Fort Myers and Tampa, Fla.

Spirit, an ultralow-cost carrier, has offered nonstop flights from Bradley to Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Orlando, Fla., since April. The Fort Myers and Tampa flights are to begin Nov. 9 and extend through April. A nonstop flight to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. also was added recently.

With these additions, airport officials said, passengers can now fly to more than 30 domestic and international nonstop destinations.

Tickets for the Edinburgh service are on sale. The outbound flight leaves Bradley at 9:35 p.m., with scheduled arrival of 9:30 a.m. in Edinburgh. The inbound flight departs Edinburgh at 5:15 p.m. and arrives at Bradley at 7:55 p.m..

"The addition of this route is an important milestone for the Connecticut Airport Authority," authority board Chairman Charles R. Gray said. "This new international route highlights Bradley Airport's continued growth and is a reflection of Bradley's growing popularity among European carriers."

"We're thrilled to welcome Norwegian to Bradley Airport," authority Executive Director Kevin A. Dillon said. "The CAA is determined to build on Bradley's strengths and continue our focus to deliver more convenience and connectivity for our region."

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Bradley Launches Nonstop Flights To Scotland - Hartford Courant - Hartford Courant

Las Cruces Sun-News Published 7:33 a.m. MT June 18, 2017 | Updated 9 hours ago

Centennial tight end Brent Rigtrup goes up for a catch Saturday afternoon as the Hawks took the Manzano Monarchs in a quarterfinal Class 6A state playoff game.(Photo: Jaime Guzman/For the Sun-News)Buy Photo

A second game would not detract from rivalry

Yes, the annual Las Cruces vs. Mayfield game is a special event. No one is challenging that fact.

Many of the LCHS and MHS faithful in our community believe that the idea of a Centennial vs Oate game scheduled prior to the Las Cruces vs. Mayfield contest would detract from the grandeur of the traditional rivalry matchup.

This is not a proposal meant to devalue what is truly a storied contest; however, it is a unique opportunity for the city of Las Cruces to come together and embrace all four of the citys comprehensive high schools while giving student-athletes from Centennial and Oate the unique opportunity to compete in a Division 1 college football stadium.

Also, if it is truly a necessity to hold the Las Cruces vs. Mayfield game at Aggie Memorial Stadium for attendance reasons (which was challenged by last years free matchup that failed to fill up the Field of Dreams), what is the harm in having our other two major high schools compete in that stadium earlier in the evening?

Personally, it has been disappointing to see many of my fellow Las Crucens take aim at a wonderful opportunity for the students and supporters of Centennial and Oate. Being a native of this town, I feel as if we live in a very tight-knit community built on values of trust and support for one-another. However, attempting to halt an event that would be a wonderful spectacle for the people of Las Cruces, especially for our students, contradicts the perception that I have of my hometown.

Superintendent Ewing does not have it wrong. This proposal embraces the fantastic spirit of competition that defines high school football in Las Cruces.

Yes, we have one great rivalry, but we also have four great schools.

Cameron Castillo

Student body president at Centennial High School and chairman of the LCPS Student Advisory Council.

A lacking workforce plagues our area

This month I attended a lunch meeting in which three commercial real estate brokers discussed activity in the Doa Ana County area. The information provided was an update of recent additions of opening businesses and those in the pipeline into the future. Information also included not only Las Cruces but the Santa Teresa Industrial Park.

Those of us who keep track of the boom at Santa Teresa can see the development of Union Pacific and supplier businesses, which have located to that area, have brought many jobs. What I didnt hear during the presentation was activity at the West Mesa Industrial Park (WMIP). I posed the question as to why the WMIP is not a location that new business is interested in.

On the positive side, the response was that the WMIP has all the infrastructure in place, is well located with easy on and off traffic to the interstate, a Free Trade Zone for manufacturing and the land is fairly priced. The unfortunate answer for no activity at the WMIP is the lack of a trained workforce to accommodate a manufacturer looking to invest a few million dollars into a property.

The investment can only be possible with the ability to fill the needed employees. So when are we going to open our eyes understanding the key to commercial growth and new jobs is at our fingertips. We need the willingness to track down the business and the investment of a trained and employable workforce. It has always been the time and continues to be the answer to our job creation at the WMIP and in this city.

Dolores Connor

Las Cruces

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A second game would not detract from rivalry - Las Cruces Sun-News

Vice President Mike Pence waves as he arrives for an event at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Ga., Friday, June 9, 2017.(Photo: David Goldman, AP)

This Father's Day Vice President Mike Pence got a very cute surprise from his family, and the country got more adorable pets to obsess over.

Sunday evening Second Lady Karen Pence tweeted a photo of herself with a grey kitten named Hazel, which the family got this weekend during a trip to Indiana.

She also tweeted a photo of Pence cuddled up with a puppy named Harley, and said it was his Father's Day surprise.

The new additions to the family come a week after they mourned the loss of their cat, Oreo.

Oreo along with the family's other cat, Pickle, and rabbit, Marlon Bundo became famousin January, when the family moved to Washington, D.C. They all made their national debut inphotos of the U.S. Air Force flight.

Since then, Marlon Bundo, better known as BOTUS (Bunny of the United States),has remained in the spotlightwith anInstagram page.

The black-and-white rabbit even has made White House appearances, recentlystealing the showat an event for Military Appreciation Month. At the time, Karen Pence said he was "kind of famous," asthe first bunny to ride on Air Force 2.

Could more adorable Instagram accounts be in this country's future? We can only hope.

Call IndyStarreporter Emma Kate Fittes at (317) 444-6129. Follow her on Twitter:@IndyEmmaKate.

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Meet Mike Pence's very cute, four-legged Father's Day surprise - Indianapolis Star

Ken Chester Jr., Motor News Media Corporation 7:00 a.m. CT June 16, 2017

The Nissan Rogue Hybrid, the newest addition to the popular Rogue crossover lineup, offers a second powertrain choice for Rogue buyers for the 2017 model year in both FWD and AWD applications. Like the 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder gasoline engine-equipped standard Rogue models, the Rogue Hybrid offers freshened exterior and interior styling, additional safety, security and driving aid technology and a wide range of standard and available comfort, convenience and utility features.(Photo: Nissan)

The Rogue model lineup expands for the 2017 model year with the addition of a new gasoline-electric hybrid model. Like the standard Rogue models, the Rogue Hybrid offers freshened exterior and interior styling, additional safety, security and driving aid technology and a wide range of standard and available comfort, convenience and utility features.

Available in SV and SL trim levels, the new Rogue Hybrid utilizes Nissan's advanced Intelligent Dual Clutch system. It uses a compact Lithium-ion battery and electric motor to provide supplementary power through its one-motor/two-clutch system. The advanced 2.0L four-cylinder gasoline engine together with a 30kW electric motor is rated at 176 hp. Torque is communicated to the wheels via an advanced Xtronic CVT automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is an available option.

The core of the Rogue Hybrid gasoline-electric hybrid system is Nissan's advanced Intelligent Dual Clutch Control system. The first of the two clutches is a dry clutch installed between the four-cylinder engine and the electric motor, where the torque converter would normally be, and the second is between the motor and Xtronic transmission.

The high-output lithium-ion battery is able to charge/discharge quickly, which contributes to high-speed, precise control of the electric motor and optimum clutch control, and in combination enable smooth start and quick shift changes. In addition, with the use of the compact Lithium-ion battery located under the rear cargo area, the Rogue Hybrid maintains its flat rear floor for easy passenger access to the rear seat and little reduction of cargo room.

Control hardware consists of a four-wheel independent suspension with struts and coil springs up front and a multi-link setup at the rear.

Inside the passenger cabin, Rogue Hybrid models feature several differences from their non-hybrid counterparts. An HEV gauge is added to the Advanced Drive Assist Display, the 2nd row seat is a 60/40 split folding design, a storage space is added under the rear cargo area and Pure Drive HEV badging is added to the exterior. Other additions include an HEV badge on the engine cover and the dual horn includes a Vehicle Sound Generator for driving in the electric mode.

For 2017, the available optional equipment packages include the SV Hybrid Premium Package and the SL Hybrid Premium Package.

Dimensions & specifications

Wheelbase: 106.5; overall length: 184.5; width: 72.4; height: 66.3 (66.6 AWD)

All vehicle measurements are in inches.

Engine: 2.0L four-cylinder gasoline 141 hp at 6000 rpm and 144 lbs-ft of torque at 3600 rpm, advanced 30kW electric motor 40 hp/118 lbs-ft of torque, and Lithium-ion battery 202 volts.

Transmission: Xtronic CVT automatic

EPA Fuel Economy: 33 city/35 hwy. (FWD); 31 city/34 hwy. (AWD)

Cargo capacity: 61.4 cubic feet

Safety features

Dual front airbag, front seat-mounted side-impact airbag, dual front/rear head curtain side-impact airbag, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, traction control system, vehicle dynamic control, engine immobilizer, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, automatic headlamps, daytime running lights, rearview monitor, remote keyless entry, automatic power door locks, Nissan Intelligent Key, remote engine start, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, tire pressure monitoring system, and easy fill tire alert. SL adds LED headlights, high beam assist, front fog lights, HomeLink universal transceiver, and Around View monitor with Moving Object Detection.

Optional safety features include navigation system and forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection.

Warranty

Basic: 5-year/100,000 mile, Bumper-to-bumper

Roadside Assistance: 3-year/36,000 mile

Pricing

As of the writing of this review, Nissan has not announced pricing for the 2017 Nissan Rogue Hybrid models.

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2017 Nissan Rogue hybrid crossover breaks new ground - Herald Times Reporter

Patients at the East Mississippi State Hospital will soon move out of their 132-year-old rooms into a new 60-bed facility to accommodate modern amenities such as high-speed data, heating and cooling as well as strengthen the structural integrity.

The former building, built in 1885, didn't comply with current building codes and it had to be updated to maintain the hospitals Joint Commission accerditation as a health care organization and provider.

"Most people do not know this, but our state hospital was in the process of losing accreditation and funding because of its age, deterioration and overall general condition," Charles Young Jr., the Mississippi House representative for District 82, said. "Quite a few buildings were built in the early 1800s... the buildings were not able to be adequately updated."

Hospital staff, administrators and state legislators viewed the $14 million newfacility after a brief, soggy ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday afternoon, touring the future rooms, offices and nursing stations.

"This is the beginning of the beginning for (EMSH). (EMSH) has served the community well for decades and decades," Young said. "It's an ultra-modern facility and an opportunity to show Mississippi just how good the director and staff are here."

EMSH director Charles Carlisle said that with 100 patients, the 60 rooms won't be enough space for everyone. In late summer Carlisle said 60 patients would be moved into the new building and the remaining would be moved into the former adolescent complex.

Carlisle said he believed construction would start on the second 60-bed receiving unit with an additional medical wing and admissions hall in early fall. The second building will cost $17 million with these additions. Even with these additions, Carlisle said he anticipated the second building would take less time to build than the first building, which took over two years.

Still, Carlisle said he appreciated the state legislature's commitment to helping the hospital keep its accreditation by continuing to fund the bonds for the buildings.

"The bond money is all ready to go," Carlisle said. "We're one of the few agencies in East Mississippi that continued to get bond money."

Though the legislature continued funding the bonds that built the new structures, some services and positions were lost after this year's budget cuts. EMSH had to close its adolescent complex, built in 2002, and convert it for adult acute psychiatric care, losing 74 positions, after budget cuts this year.

"They believed we needed this," Carlisle said.

Carlisle stressed that the new building would be a replacement building for the old four-story facility, so no other positions would be lost.

"The old building needed to come down," Carlisle said. "But we won't demolish it until the other building is finished."

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East Mississippi State Hospital patients get new rooms - Meridian Star

The Sandy Springs Branch Library will get its first renovation in 30 years in early 2018, transforming into a more flexible and modern space, a team of officials said at a June 14 public input meeting. That work will bring temporary pain: a closure of five to six months.

The main entrance of the Sandy Springs Branch Library at 395 Mount Vernon Highway N.E. (John Ruch)

Improved facilities for events, childrens activities and a friends groups bookstore were among the suggestions by about 30 attendees of the meeting, held at the library at 395 Mount Vernon Highway N.E. The ideas were well-received by Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System officials, though they emphasized that the project will only renovate the existing building, not build additions. And while Al Collins, the administrator of the bond program funding the renovation, said the project has a limited budget, he repeatedly refused to say what that amount is.

Amy Sue Mann of Hogan Construction Group (standing) discusses Sandy Springs Branch Library renovations at the June 14 meeting. Joining her were architect Joe Alcock (right), Al Collins of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System (left), and Branch Manager Madigan McGillicuddy (at rear). (John Ruch)

The project is far from a blank slate, but still has plenty of room for community input to dictate details of how the library is reconfigured, said representatives of construction and architecture firms already hired by the library system.

Were just starting out, said Amy Sue Mann of Hogan Construction Group. We havent drawn anything yet.

What we really want to understand is the personality of your library, said Joe Alcock of McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture, which recently worked on major library projects for Louisiana State and Kennesaw State universities. He likened the project to a giant-sized version of renovating and refurnishing a living room.

A drawing of the Sandy Springs Branch Librarys current floorplan on display at the June 14 meeting. (John Ruch)

After the current round of public input, the team plans to return in the early fall with a preliminary design, then finalize the plan with more public input by years end. Construction is expected to start sometime in the first quarter of 2018, requiring a closure of up to six months.

The team continues to accept public input on renovation ideas at librarycomments@fultoncountyga.gov. That address is used for several branch renovations, so comments should mention they are about the Sandy Springs Branch specifically.

A long list of needs

The meeting itself made obvious some of the needs of the library, which dates to 1973 and was last renovated in 1988. Its three relatively small meeting rooms were all booked with activities, so the meeting was held amid bookshelves and DVD racks in the young adult section. Some attendees fanned themselves in the overly warm air, and lobby noise interrupted the discussion.

Due to a lack of available rooms, the meeting was held amid the librarys bookshelves and DVD racks. (John Ruch)

All that activity also shows how popular the Sandy Springs Branch is. Alcock said its book circulation about 20,000 volumes checked out a month is consistently in the top three of the systems 34 branches.

The team already has a must-do list of basic improvements, such as heating, cooling and lighting systems. And with this renovation possibly being the last major work for 20 to 25 years, the team is grappling with how to design a brick-and-mortar library for an increasingly digital age. The overarching theme was flexible space and a focus on perennial needs like teaching young children to read and providing study space for teens.

Alcock said that the vision of a modern library is less a book depository and more a place to exchange thoughts, learn and expand our minds and trade ideas.

Things come and go in fad and fashion, he said. We want long-range, durable ideas that will go on forever.

The list of improvements already required by the library system is long. It includes new heating and cooling systems; lighting; interior and exterior signage; accessibility for people with disabilities; new computers and Wi-Fi; renovated restrooms; carpeting; security cameras and an alarm system; new electrical wiring and outlets. Also on the agenda: better furniture and at least basic improvements to the lawn and parking lot areas.

The Friends of the Sandy Springs Librarys bookstore is squeezed into a space behind bookshelves. (John Ruch)

Cramped, crowded and poorly lit rooms were a major theme of comments from attendees. The design team previously sought comments from library staff, and said they heard similar thoughts.

Two mothers of young children called for an improved childrens area focused on books and other non-digital items, and insulated from the rest of the library so noise wont disturb other patrons.

Better furniture was another. As one man put it, the library should have chairs that will enhance reading, but not make you fall asleep.

Members of the Friends of the Sandy Springs Library asked for better after-hours access for such events as author readings, and better space for their bookstore, which funds many childrens programs. The bookstore is squeezed into an easily overlooked area at the back of the young adult section, and the Friends have to rent off-site storage space for $400 a month.

Joe Alcock of McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture points out a wooden arch in the little-known second-story room in the Sandy Springs Branch Library. (John Ruch)

Marsha Holcomb, a Friends group board member, drew some exclamations of surprise when she asked about the use of a little-known second-floor room in the largely one-story library. Alcock said plans show the room was originally designated as a childrens play space, and a librarian said it was once a staff office and lounge. It became a heating-and-cooling system room in the 1988 renovation and likely will stay that way, especially since it is now accessible only by a pull-down ladder in the staff office area. Alcock gave the Reporter a brief look at the room, which still has some charms in its hardwood floor and ceiling and laminated wood arches.

The known budget and the secret budget

The Sandy Springs Branch project is part of the second and last phase of a system-wide renovation and construction program dating to a 2008 voter-approved bond. The current phase will renovate 21 branches and the Central Library in downtown Atlanta. Those renovations are being done in sub-phases called groups, and Sandy Springs is among seven branches starting off the work. The nearby Roswell Branch is included in that first group. Mann said the renovation closures will be scheduled so that the Roswell and Sandy Springs are not closed at the same time, so that patrons of one can visit the other during construction and avoid a local library desert.

The overall budget for Phase II work is $109 million, with about $50 million going to the Central Library project. The other $59 million is for the 21 branch renovations; if divided equally, that would be about $2.8 million per branch. However, Collins would not say what the actual Sandy Springs Branch budget is.

Im not prepared, necessarily, to disclose the budget at this time, Collins said when a meeting attendee asked for the figure. Were going to try to do it as equitably as possible.

Collins said after the meeting that the Sandy Springs project has a specific budget set, but he again would not state the amount, citing a desire to keep public opinion focused on planning and away from possible disputes over different branches getting different amounts of money.

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Sandy Springs Library renovation coming in early 2018 - Reporter Newspapers

Even though there were some significant changes and additions, the first season of The Handmaids Tale followed the basic structure of Margaret Atwoods classic novel, all the way through the end of Offreds journey. That means next season will, for better or worse, show us a new chance to explore Gileadand the world it inhabits. So heres what wed like season two to tell us about it.

The Handmaids Tale has already been renewed for season two, and plans are in motion for Hulus second visit to Gilead. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, showrunner Bruce Miller said hes working with The Handmaids Tale author Margaret Atwood to come up with stories and plotlines that fit with her overall vision. However, this isnt going to be easy; the shows already taken some pretty stark departures from the booklike Luke being alive (and getting his own episode), or Offred finding out shes pregnant at the end of the season.

Its going to be interesting to see how these two visions combine (or collide) as the show officially moves past the non-symposium ending of the book and into uncharted territory. There are a few things from the book that havent been addressed yet that wed love to see covered on the show, as well as some new elements that would expand our understand of Gilead and its place in the world.

Gileads rise is a result of fear, panic, and opportunism over the infertility crisis. So far, weve learned it impacts the United States and Mexico, but havent heard if its an international crisis or something limited to continental North America. This raises the question of what prompted the crisis in the first place, and how bad the problem really is.

In the book, the infertility crisis is reportedly caused by overuse of birth control and the rise in sexually transmitted diseases. The symposium epilogue states this too, although Gilead couldve easily exaggerated the role to condemn womens sexual liberation. Theres also the environmental issue, which is likewise touched upon in episode six, A Womans Place. This could mean pollution, climate change, or even a nuclear war. The point is no ones really said why infertility is happening and how many people it affects.

Itd be great to get a look at people who were in the midst of the crisis, to get a better semblance of what happened when. For example, a flashback to show what the government was (or was not) doing to address rising infertility before Gilead rose to take over the United States.

The Colonies are basically the Krampus of Gilead, an ever-looming threat that targets misbehaving citizens in the religious country. If you get sent there, youre basically doomed to dieat least, thats what were led to believe. In the show, the Colonies are parts of North America that have been contaminated by pollution and radioactive waste. Gilead sends criminals, failed handmaids, and other Unpeople there to live out their lives as slaves, cleaning up toxic waste until they die.

However, there are so many unanswered questions about the Colonies that need to be addressed: How big are the Colonies, and does Gilead control all of them? Are they as bad as people fear, or has Gilead created or exaggerated a myth to keep people in line? And, my biggest question... is that where Mayday is hiding out? Itd be the perfect cover, so long as they could protect themselves from pollution.

Out of all the problems I have with the show, and there are a few, the biggest one is the way it handles the timeline. There are several episodes that show how Gilead spread itself across the United States, gaining followers and preparing to take over the government, but theres still no explanation of how the war happened and how the hell US citizens couldve remained so ignorant of the group that took over their country.

I feel like the best way to address that would be to have a flashback for Rita, the servant in the Waterfords home. In episode nine, The Bridge, we learned that Ritas son died in the war, though we still dont know what side he was on. This is the gateway to learning more about the conflict. Focusing a storyline on Ritas past would enable us to see how everything escalated and how the Sons of Jacob were able to prevail against a force as big as the US military.

Gileads most-prized possession is children, which is why they created the handmaid program in the first place. And yet, we dont exactly know what the Republic is doing with them. In the show, weve seen the group of Gileadean children being paraded in front of the Mexican ambassador, as well as some girls at school. But we know little about how Gileadean children are being educated, how theyre handling being separated from their parents, and what purpose the Republic wants them to serve in the future.

Since Hannahs location has been revealed, fixing the spotlight on her for a bit would give us a better insight in how children are being treated in Gilead (hopefully with an older actress, to better match the timeline). Are boys being conscripted into the Sons of Jacob? Are girls trained as future handmaids, even if their fertility cant be tested? Plus, which kids remember their parents, and what do they think of them now? Since the children are the future, itd be smart to show what exactly that future entails.

Gilead might isolate itself from the rest of the world, but you can damn well bet the rest of the world isnt isolating itself from Gilead. As we learned in the season finale, Night, several countries are working with Canada to house refugees from the Republic. It doesnt look like Gilead has a lot of friends. In the show, their only known trading partner is Mexicoand in the book, the country hosts Japanese tourists.

Now that Moira has joined Luke in Canada (and Miller said the show will partially take place there), it makes sense to expand the scope and give us an idea of what the world thinks of Gilead. Perhaps have Moira serve as a witness at the United Nations, to tell international leaders how women in Gilead are being kept as sexual slaves. This would also give us a better glance at how widespread the infertility crisis is. And if its a localized problem in North America, whether other nations are bothering to do anything about it.

I previously argued that Aunt Lydia is The Handmaids Tales best example of a true believerand by the end of the season, I think thats a stone-cold fact. Shes completely devoted to Gileads mission, and sees it as the right path for her and the rest of the country. While her dedication to her handmaids, like when she cried as Janine was about to be stoned to death, suggested she may be conflicted about Gileads path... that couldnt be more wrong. Her love for her handmaids wasnt in spite of what Gilead is doing... its because of what Gilead is doing.

I would love nothing more than to see Aunt Lydias backstory next season. When did she join the Gileadean cause, and how exactly did that come about? I cant believe she was forced into that life, given her dedication to the cause. A Womans Place did an excellent job of showing female complacency in Gileads patriarchal societya history lesson about the Aunts, centered around Lydias journey, would enhance that.

The symposium epilogue at the end of The Handmaids Tale indicates that there was a lot of internal strife in Gilead up until its fall. Commanders in different periods of Gileads rule behaved differently based on how stringent the rules were for them. There doesnt seem to have been an outright civil war, but there were internal conflicts that sowed discontent.

This is something were seeing echoed in the character of Andrew Pryce, an Eye whos determined to clean up Gilead of its corruption. It seems like hes going to play a bigger role next season, as the upstanding moral compass of Gilead who refuses to bend or break for the other commanders. Given Pryces role in the Sons of Jacob, and his clearly obvious issues with Gileadean leadership, it seems possible that discontent could turn into something bigger.

Id personally love to see a sort-of civil war brew inside Gilead between rising factions, echoing how Protestantism splintered into thousands of denominations in the centuries following the Reformation.

Offreds mother is a key figure in the book, demonstrating the ideological clash between second-wave and third-wave feminism (though its been argued were in or nearing the fourth wave nowadays). In the book, Offred learns from Moira that her mother was sent to the Colonies, implying that she died from forced servitude in the toxic environment. However, theres been no mention of Offreds mother on the show so far, leaving the door wide open for her arrival and impact on the story.

Personally, Id love to see Offreds mother as a key figure in Mayday, who had Offred rescued after learning her location (since she helped Mayday recover a package in The Bridge). This risks venturing into How convenient! territory, but it would also give the show a chance to demonstrate the inner complexities within feminism as a movement... contrasting with Gileads own turmoil through conflicting religious ideologies.

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8 Questions We Really Want Answered in The Handmaid's Tale's Second Season - Gizmodo