The Chester Community Library The Chester Community Library The - - PDF document

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The Chester Community Library The Chester Community Library The Chester Community Library The Chester Community Library in North Quarter Park (NQP) in North Quarter Park (NQP) in North Quarter Park (NQP) in North Quarter Park (NQP)

Funding Proposal for Schematic Design Phase

Chester Town Meeting March 5, 2015

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Why Are We Here?

Library Trustees seek town approval of funds to:

• 1. Confirm that NQP is a suitable building site for a new

community library; and if so,

• 2. Develop schematic design for the new library that:
• a. meets town size and space requirements,
• b. is affordable to build and operate, and
• c. is in compliance with the 2009 Plan of

Conservation and Development. The Boards of Selectmen and Finance voted to send the Library Trustees’ request for $100,000 for a schematic design of a new community library at NQP to a town vote.

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Why Expand Chester Library?

How Chester Library Compares to the 165 Libraries in CT

Current Library built in 1907

(population was ~1400)

• 3rd oldest in CT

Not ‘Americans with Disabilities Act’ compliant (Federal law)

• One of only 7 libraries in CT

not wheelchair accessible

Library facilities small and cramped

• Chester ranks 155th in

library space per capita

No programming space

• One of 19 towns in CT

with no library meeting space

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Expansion Initiative Synopsis

2009-2013 Efforts at Library Expansion Options

2012 study concluded current location was not a viable option

• Limited in space - could only

add 2,000 sf on this small site

• High per square foot

construction costs – $3 million

• Entire lot outside “buildable”

space; extensive ZBA required

• Concerns expressed by Church,

which owns the land, and

• ther neighbors

Expansion of current building: a complex and high cost per sf solution that failed to meet town needs

2009

• Plan of Conservation and

Development

• Community Library Needs

Assessment, incl. Town-wide Survey and Focus Groups (grant-funded) 2010 Library Reconfiguration Effort 2012

• Comprehensive architectural

study to explore expanding current site

• 2 plans presented to town

(aboveground, belowground)

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North Quarter Park Site

$1,000,000 Grant Achieved!

The Selectmen formed two committees in 2014: The State awarded Chester a $1 million grant for construction of a new community library at NQP (Nov. 2014)!

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Committee Architect Charter NQP Master Planning Committee Richter and Cegan Develop a master plan for NQP consistent with the 2009 Plan of Conservation and Development Library Building Committee (LBC) Lerner Ladds Bartels Develop a conceptual space plan for a new community library, incorporating NQP Master Plan, Library Long Range Plan and State Guidelines Apply for state grant (compl. Aug. 2014)

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Why North Quarter Park?

• More cost effective
• SF construction costs lower than library renovation
• Town owned
• Library sizing and siting flexibility
• Integral to broader town community center
• Recreational areas
• Planned community center
• Walkable

… AND it enabled us to get a $1,000,000 grant!

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Comparisons to Local Libraries Comparisons to Local Libraries Comparisons to Local Libraries Comparisons to Local Libraries

Town Population Wealth Rank* Library Size in Sq. Ft.

• Sq. Ft Per

Capita Physical Collection Size Per Capita Chester 4,343 54 2,000 0.46 4.81 Deep River 4,589 82 6,323 1.38 8.2 Essex (minus Ivoryton) 6,623 20 9,550 1.44 6.62 Haddam 8,363 68 10,314 1.23 6.01 Killingworth 6,490 49 7,329 1.13 4.90 Lyme 2,401 9 6,500 2.71 10.84 Old Lyme 7,592 17 11,992 1.58 6.25 * 165 Towns

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The $100,000 will answer…

Is NQP feasible location? How Big? Cost to Build? Cost to Operate?

• Geotech

investigations will confirm

• If NQP is not

viable, expenditure

• f the $100k

will halt

• We will build

consensus based on:

• state

recommend- ations

• peer bench-

marking

• town

requirements

• Will balance the

benefits to the town with the cost to the taxpayer

• Funding via

state, town and private sources. The Library Trustees are already exploring fundraising

• ptions
• Design will

enable a lean staffing plan and a safe and secure environment

• Building

envelope and mechanical systems will minimize total lifecycle cost

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Breakdown of the $100,000…

Component Scope/Deliverables Budget

Geotech investigations Test borings, foundation recommendations $7,200 Survey updates Spot elevations, update maps $2,750 Civil design Schematic drainage design, erosion control, utilities, site preparation $3,850 Architectural and Engineering design services Space planning, design studies, code review, schematic architectural, structural & MEPFP design $55,500 Landscape design services Schematic site design, site preparation, grading, landscaping, play area relocation $15,400 Cost estimating Construction & project cost estimates with alternates $5,000 Reimbursable expenses $2,500 Contingency $7,800 TOTAL $100,000

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The Design Process

• Collaborative
• Building Comm. will work with the

Boards of Selectmen and Finance, NQP Committee, Main Street Committee, other town committees, Library Trustees, Friends of the Library, library staff, architects and

• thers
• Inclusive
• Building Comm. will seek input from

all stakeholders (citizens, library patrons, neighbors)

• Transparent
• All Bldg Comm. mtgs are open to the

public; meeting agendas and minutes are posted on the Library website

• Public information mtgs will be held

Collaborative Transparent Inclusive

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Where does this phase get us?

A schematic design Cost estimate for the project Financing plan

• Site plan with

grading and drainage proposals

• Floorplans &

elevations

• Proposed

furnishings, materials and finishes

• Building

systems narratives

• Construction costs
• Soft costs
• Estimates for non-

project costs

• Town, state and

private sources

• Property tax

impact

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Financial Considerations of a New Community Financial Considerations of a New Community Financial Considerations of a New Community Financial Considerations of a New Community Library for Chester Library for Chester Library for Chester Library for Chester

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Affordability of a new library

• $1 million State Library grant is a big plus
• Chester is in a very strong financial position
• Interest rates for bonding are still near historic lows
• Significant private fundraising initiatives are being

planned

• Other state grants will be sought for NQP projects

While funding the new library and NQP improvements is a significant commitment, there may never be a better time to do it.

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3/6/2015 15 Bond Servicing - 20 years $2 mil $3 mil $4 mil $5 mil @ Interest Rate 2.50% Annual cost to Town $127,152 $190,728 $254,304 $317,880 Annual Tax on Homeowner $62 $93 $124 $155 @ Interest Rate 3.50% Annual cost to Town $139,176 $208,764 $278,352 $347,940 Annual Tax on Homeowner $68 $102 $136 $170

Note: Chester is now paying off the Town Hall bond at $145,000 per year, plus interest. This bond matures in Oct. 2017; after that, the net effect on taxes of a Library Bond would be the above “annual cost to town” minus $145,000 assuming no other bond issues were requested and approved.

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Bond Servicing Costs and Effects

• n Homeowner Taxes

Assume Home Assessment of $210,000

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Reasons to vote “Yes”

• The need is strong
• Existing building was outgrown many years ago
• The place is right
• NQP is an ideal location for a community library
• The time is right
• Capitalize on state grant and strong financial condition
• The benefit is compelling
• A library in a renovated NQP will strengthen our

community

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