FAYETTEVILLE -- The Fayetteville Public Library Board of Trustees reviewed and approved a $5.8 million capital improvement plan Monday that includes basic maintenance needs for the 10-year-old building.
Stephen Davis, accounting and human resources manager, outlined the plan, the first for the library. Some $3.4 million in improvements can be funded over the next five years and about $2.4 million cannot, unless additional operating money becomes available.
AT A GLANCE
LeVar Burton
Actor and author LeVar Burton will be the featured speaker at the Fayetteville Public Library at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Doors for the event open at 6 :30 p.m. with seating limited to about 600 on a first come, first served basis. Tickets are not necessary. Earlier Wednesday, Burton will read his book, “The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm,” to second-graders and will be the special guest at a reception before his talk. The library will close at 3 p.m. Wednesday to prepare for the evening events.
Source: Staff Report
The plan follows the city's five-year capital plan, which often shows a large number of projects unfunded, Davis said.
"These are things you need to do to keep a viable group going," Davis said. "It's not uncommon to have a large unfunded list."
The library opened 10 years ago in September 20o4 and now needs facility maintenance as well as new computers and library materials.
The bulk of the funded improvements are projected at $2.5 million for library materials and $612,000 for computer replacement over the five years.
The balance of the funded projects are for facility maintenance, which includes replacement of heating, ventilation and air conditioning compressors and fans; replacement of fire door alarm; installation of door openers compliant with the Americans with Disability Act on the public restrooms; and replacement of the parking deck sweeper replacement, to mention a few of the items included on the list.
The plan needs $803,500 to be funded in 2015 and the balance over the next four succeeding years until 2019 when the projects would be included.
These are projects in addition to plans for an 80,000 square-foot expansion of the library.
The unfunded maintenance projects include new carpeting in the Walker Community Room; replacement of lobby doors; resurfacing cork floors and remodeling public restrooms. Davis said these projects require an additional $848,300 in 2015 with the balance spread over the next four years.
Without discussion, the board approved the capital program to start next year.
In other business, Executive Director David Johnson said the public input sessions in September and earlier this month were well attended and participants offered "healthy input," especially at a session at the Farmers' Market on Oct. 11.
Participants at the Farmers' Market had an awareness of the proposed plans and were able to engage in conversation, ask questions and offer ideas, Johnson said. The next step is to move forward with the second phase with more detailed plans and funding options for the expansion until after the Circuit Court rules on a lawsuit to give title to the property to Washington Regional Medical Center.
The lawsuit is pending and could be decided by the end of the year, said Vince Chadick, the attorney representing the library. The library needs a clear title to the property to complete the purchase of the City Hospital property from Washington Regional.
In other business, the board welcomed a new member, Janine Parry, a University of Arkansas professor, who replaces Chuck Adams who has accepted a new job in Florida.
Maggie Jordan also attended the meeting as Executive Director for the Day. Jordan, of Bentonville, won a reading contest at the library this summer and selected the "job" as her prize.
NW News on 10/21/2014