New Library for Clinton Under Construction

Even as heavy equipment is lumbering across the Northside Drive site of the new Quisenberry Library, city leaders are putting the finishing touches on plans for the $7 million structure. Aldermen approved a preliminary site plan Tuesday for the 25,000-square-foot library at 605 E. Northside Drive between Indian Lanes bowling alley and Trace Pointe Retirement Center.

Aldermen also gave their blessing to a "conditional use" for the library to be built in the property's zoning, which is an action always required when a government building is being constructed.

"I think we know every foot of this," Mayor Rosemary Aultman said of the site plan for the library before aldermen unanimously approved both measures

In the planning stages for seven years, the library is being constructed on land donated by the Quisenberry family. The family stipulates construction must begin by 2010 or the donation becomes void.

"This is certainly an exciting time for us, and something this board and the city's department heads have worked so hard on," Aultman said. "We're excited to be able to do this.

The construction schedule for the Quisenberry library is 500 days, with a targeted completion by January 2010, city engineer Richard Broome said. Aldermen recently authorized the sale of $8 million in bonds to pay for construction, plus the library's interior furnishings that include furniture and electronic equipment.

Bonds will be repaid through a 3-mill tax increase, enacted in 2007, that will be in effect as long as needed to pay the bond debt.

For a $100,000 home, the increase in property taxes would be $30.

Construction of the library building, including land preparation, lighting, roadways and parking, has been estimated at about $5.8 million.

But other costs bring the project to about $7 million. Furnishings, office equipment, and telephone and computer systems will cost about $700,000.

Although a bicycle and jogging trail had been discussed earlier as a possible extra for the project, there are not included in the bonds.

The facility will include a children's library, several meeting rooms and a genealogy room, said Broome, who will oversee construction for the city.

Once the site is cleared, Broome said, the library's foundation will be constructed, followed by the building's steel structure.

Exterior walls and windows then will materialize, followed by the building's roof.

The interior then will be completed, followed by the paving of the parking lot and driveway. Lastly, furnishings will be moved into the building and landscaping will be completed, Broome said.

Excerpt from The Clinton News, December 4, 2008

For more information, see the A.E.Wood (Clinton) Branch webpage.