What can we cut from the project to reduce the expense?
Given the integrated nature of the work to be done, there aren’t any easy options to remove. The current construction plans address only the most immediate needs of the building, without any extras and do not include several other maintenance needs of the building including a new roof, handrail and porch, exterior painting, or furniture.
Can we do the project in phases?
This approach would not be easy, would increase the overall cost and schedule of the project, and add disruption to the building use. The work that needs to be done does not lend itself to completing it piecemeal. For example, once work has started on the stairway and lift portion of the project, the current kitchen along with plumbing, heating, and electrical systems will be affected, which in turn impacts the entire building.
How about moving the library into the school if the school closes?
We don’t know whether and when this will happen. The School Board discussed closing the school in the past beginning in 2017, and is just now embarking on reopening community engagement and discussion around school consolidation. Any decisions will be years in the making.
The school building is also a much larger space than the library could utilize. The town would then need to incur the costs of maintaining the entire school building and determining other compatible uses for the extra space.
The historic Town Hall building will still be here and in need of repair or demolition.
Why not just build a new building for the library and a community center?
New construction will be much more expensive. Construction cost to renovate the Town Hall is estimated at $350/sf, while similar new construction in Vermont can be closer to $550/sf, according to Naylor and Breen Builders. For comparison, the recently completed Middlebury Isley Library’s $17 million major addition, ¾ new construction, ¼ historic renovation, was approximately $530/sf.
