Goshen Public Library & Historical Society | 203 Main St Goshen, NY 10924 | Phone: 845.294.6606 | Fax: 845.294.7158 | RCLS Member
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What will the building look like?
By plnkh | February 22, 2008
A comment on my last posting is deserving of full attention. The writer has asked about the status of the library’s relationship with its architect and if the public should be concerned about this.
In August 2007, because of changes in the nature of the project, the Library board voted to negotiate the termination of its existing contract with its architect (Peter Hoffmann). The Board also voted to request new proposals for the design and construction of the building, based on the building program and established budget, should the project be approved by the voters.
Mr. Hoffmann had been retained in 1994 when the Library Board was beginning to consider its options for meeting the Library’s space needs. He helped the Library evaluate sites for a new building, prepared the 2003 space needs analysis, helped articulate the building program and developed a conceptual plan for the purposes of the vote to illustrate that program. Details of contractual negotiations between the Library and any party are not public information. Contracts, once executed, are public information under the Freedom of Information Law.
Neither the NYS Education Department, nor DASNY expect their agencies to develop complete design documents prior to securing voter approval for a public works project. Schematic and construction design development are labor intensive, costly services. The Library project before the voters is developed as far as is usual and practical. The Board has received comments from member of the public on the conceptual design and has planned to invite general community input on the appearance and layout of the building prior to approving a final design. Factors including interest rates, community input and the completion of the Environmental Assessment will all impact the final design of the building. There is no point in spending time (and operating funds) on the design details of a building for which there is no approved funding.
The public is being asked to approve bonding of $19,675,000, with a maximum annual tax levy of $1,360,00 for the indebtedness, to construct a new library on five acres of land adjacent to the Salesian Park. The building will include 28,000 square feet of public space for library services and offices. It will include designated spaces for children, teens, adults, public computers, meetings, local history. It will include a cafe if a vendor is found to run it. It will include a basement to house the HVAC and future expansion ( if the site and budget allow). It will use green technology (geothermal heating, solar panels, recycled materials, automated lighting and bathroom fixtures). The drawings on our web site should illustrate to you that we want a building that will reflect Goshen’’s architectural heritage and merge well with the park.
The architectural firm which receives the contract to design the building will do so based on the building program and budget presented for the referendum.
The Library Board was elected to ensure that the residents of the school district receive the library services they require, and that library operations comply with applicable state laws and regulations. If you are confident that your elected board has done so, you have no cause for concern. The Library is not the first, nor will it be the last, to switch architects during project development.
Topics: Building |
