Construction cost estimates for the proposed new Lynnfield Library building are down from about $20.9 million to $18.5 million, members of the Library Building Committee said at a recent Select Board Meeting.
The Lynnfield Public Library Building Committee also met last week to discuss feedback that the committee had gotten from members of the public at four previous community listening sessions, the current and updated potential project cost estimates after several reductions in design and architecture were made, and potential style and design updates regarding the plans for the proposed new Lynnfield Library building.
First, some of the suggestions gathered from the previous community listening sessions included providing meeting spaces and a place where kids can go when schools are out, providing a children’s room with a program room, reducing the amount of glass and lowering overall costs of building, prioritizing discussing program goals as opposed to the design, and working on challenges for the existing library.
Kevin Bergeron, associate principal at William Rawn Associates Architects Inc., also spoke at the committee’s meeting about how the planned exterior and interior layouts have evolved since previous meetings and community sessions, and how these have helped lower cost estimates for the proposed new building.
“I’ll summarize some of the things we have asked the cost estimator to remove from,” Bergeron said. “The trellis that was on the rear of the building, it’s kind of an external object not required, but we can see it as a cost if we decide that we want it back.”
Bergeron listed more elements that have been removed from the cost estimate, or chosen as an alternate and not currently in the estimate, including a fin tube trench, solar shading, reduced glazed and folding glass partitions, stone tiles, barn relocation costs, bluestone terraces, walkways, pavings, steps, and terrace furnishings and play structures to simplify the landscape around the building.
The Library Building Committee will hold a public forum on Friday at 10 a.m. at the Lynnfield Public Library. More information is available at the Lynnfield town calendar.
