One of our best-loved locations is our Peaks Island Branch, and we are grateful to our partners in the Recreation Department for ways we collaborate in serving the community in both the library and community room spaces.
We want to share an updated timeline for the proposed renovation project so island residents and organizations can make their summer plans.
We now have approval from the State Fire Marshal’s office and have just received authorization from the City’s Planning Department. This means we can finalize the documents to put the project out to bid.
After discussions with City staff who know the bid climate, we have made the decision to proceed with the bid now, with an October 1st start date for construction. This positions us for the best bids and allows us to keep the Library and Community Center open for the summer months. In September, in order to begin pre-work on the site, we will move the Library to the Peaks Island Elementary School location and Recreation to St. Christopher’s Church.
We have received questions from the community about temporary restrooms during the construction. We want to assure everyone that there will be a set of temporary bathrooms during the closed period for islander use. We will have much more information on this as we get closer to the project.
We had hoped to have the approvals to get ahead of a summer start, but it appears that if we bid for an immediate start we are at risk of receiving fewer proposals and unfavorable bid pricing. The new timing will maximize our budget and also allow for easier construction logistics on the island outside of the heaviest tourist time.
Thank you for your constant support as we keep this exciting project moving forward. If you have questions about the Library’s plans, please do not hesitate to be in touch via email or by phone at 207-871-1700 ext. 755.
– Sarah Campbell, Executive Director, Portland Public Library
-Sally Deluca, Director of Facilities & Recreation, City of Portland
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