December groundbreaking planned for Lewes library

With plans to break ground in December, Lewes Public Library officials and staff are working hard to finalize construction costs and collect as much of its fundraising goal as possible.

Construction manager Richard Y. Johnson received 59 separate bids on the library's 17 different contracts. As of Nov. 17, the construction team was sifting through bids to ensure all aspects of the project are covered. It is anticipated the project will come in 3 percent to 4 percent over the estimated cost of $10.5 million to construct the building.

Ned Butera, head of the design committee, said the library should soon have a contract ready to sign with a maximum guaranteed price.

The library is also nearing its fundraising goal. It has received $5 million from the state division of libraries, $2.727 million in private donations, about $750,000 from other county and state sources and $1 million from the city for the purchase of the 5.5-acre Thompson property along Kings Highway. A public fundraising campaign continues.

City considers contribution

The library has asked the city to consider an additional $1 million contribution to the project, which would give it a 15 percent stake in the entire $13 million project, which also includes a trailhead and extension of Stango Park. Of all funds collected, fundraising campaign chairman Dennis Forney said, about 70 percent is coming from individuals, groups or organizations outside Lewes.

“We're not asking the city of Lewes to carry the lion's share of this project,” Forney said. “The city of Lewes is a very important partner in this project, but we are blessed to live in a state and a community that loves partnerships like this and likes to feel like everyone is contributing.”

Mayor Ted Becker formed a committee to analyze the city's additional contribution, if any, and what annual contributions the city may make toward the library's operating budget. The committee, chaired by Deputy Mayor Fred Beaufait, met for the first time Nov. 13. At the meeting, Beaufait said the library should anticipate unexpected costs that may drive up the final price tag.

Hugh Leahy, library board treasurer, said costs over and above are likely, but will not have great impact on the final numbers. He said the extensive work by architects, interior space planners, library representatives and city folks should minimize extra expenses.

“I would hope the work they did would have these unforeseen circumstances on the low end of what might be reasonably expected,” he said. “I'm sure it is undoubtedly true that there are things that will arise that we did not anticipate. Having said that, the design committee process was robust to say the least.”

Forney said there will be a $300,000 to $400,000 contingency figure built into the contract, which should cover any unanticipated expenses.

Library asks for annual grant

As for annual expenses, the library is requesting the city contribute $40,000 annually toward its operating budget. The figure is lower than the $47,000 the city currently contributes. Library officials say that while the building will double in size to 28,500 square feet, its more energy-efficient design – 30 to 40 percent more efficient – and lower maintenance costs will result in a savings. The library's largest expense, salaries, will not change, as officials do not plan to expand staff in the larger facility.

Beaufait again was concerned library officials were underestimating the budget.

“I'd hate for us to commit to $40,000 then in two years the library has to come back to the city and [ask for] $50,000 or $60,000,” he said. “I think now is the time is to make the most realistic commitment we can.”

Leahy again said he believed library officials have done a good job of estimating its potential budget.

“We have considered the question,” he said. “If you come back to us and say city support ought to be 10 percent of the library budget, we'll be glad to provide you with that number – closer to $60,000 to $65,000.”

Where will the money come from?

If the city agrees to contribute to both the library's annual operating budget and the construction for a new facility, then the question becomes, where does the money come from? When the library built its current building in the '80s, the city contributed $100,000 to the project from money it received from selling two lots on Lewes Beach. The current building had a price tag of $850,000 to $900,000 to build, Forney said.

The two properties were not the only lots sold by the city, but the money received from other land transactions was reinvested in other community endeavors.

The city's library committee concluded its first meeting by looking at a list of properties that could potentially be sold in a similar fashion. Four paper streets of similar size off Cape Henlopen Drive were highlighted. City Manager Paul Eckrich said the value of each property is unknown and a survey and appraisal are needed

Former Mayor Jim Ford encouraged the committee to strongly consider selling the lots.

“I think the timing right now is key, for a variety of reasons, to go ahead and take a hard look at those assets you have, liquidate what you can for cash and reallocate that into the community in whatever way is best for the community,” he said. “And maybe that's not a 100 percent commitment to any place or to any organization.”

Partnerships have resulted in many projects coming to fruition, he said, such as Canalfront Park and the Lightship Overfalls. He said partnerships will continue to do good things for the community.

“We've had success in this community because of partnerships,” he said. “The ability of the city of Lewes and its residents to work with other agencies and other organizations makes the community what it is.”

Funding options will continue to be discussed at future meetings, as will another topic charged to the committee – the future of the current library building.