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April-June 2000 Memorials, Gifts and Donations Libraries For the Future Update Austin History Center African American Outreach Program Bond Project Updates
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Bond Project Updates
Good progress continues to be made on the Windsor Park Branch Library Project, the last of the projects funded by the 1992 City of Austin Bond Election. The fabrication and installation of the ductwork throughout the library has been completed, as has the exterior plastering work. The roofing of the building remains well manned, and consequently is proceeding quickly, with most of the metal roof and some gutters now installed. The electrical and plumbing rough-in inspections were passed and the mechanical insulation inspection has been scheduled. Fire and security systems submittals, as well as the HVAC controls submittal, are presently being reviewed by the project management team. The City received proposals on the re-bid of furnishings for the library, and these bids are now being reviewed for compliance to specifications. It remains the Library Department's intention to open the Windsor Park Branch Library to the public in May 2000. Progress is likewise being made on the land acquisitions required for Library Projects funded in the 1998 City of Austin Bond Election. On December 9, the City Council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the fee simple acquisition of 1.52 acres, known locally as 2505 Steck Avenue, from 2505 INTEREST I, L.P., for the North Village Branch Library Project, in the amount of $536,500. Council actions are anticipated on the land acquisition needs of the Montopolis/Riverside Drive Branch and the Terrazas Branch Expansion projects during the months of January and February, 2000. Staff is presently reviewing the fair market appraisal for the optimum site selected for the Twin Oaks Branch Library, and a formal offer is expected to be made in January 2000. On November 22, after a short presentation by TeamHaas, the AISD School Board unanimously approved the Design Develoment Phase drawings for the Pickle Elementary School. Additional funds for the elementary school were also approved after AISD staff made a budget presentation. TeamHaas is currently incorporating City of Austin comments from the St. John's Multipurpose Center design development review conducted in September into departmental packages for a quick, second design development overview of the revisions. Concurrent with this second review, TeamHaas is proceeding with the Construction Document Phase according to the estimated project schedule: Nine firms, or joint ventures, submitted proposals to provide consultant services to include a site feasibility study for the Carver Museum/Branch Library Expansion Project. The project period for the feasibility study is approximately one year. The project schedule for the remaining work will be developed mutually by the City and the consultant at completion of the feasibility study. It is the intent of both the Parks and Recreation Department and the Library Department to combine their two projects at this site during the design and construction phases, if bond funding for these projects can be aligned. On December 7, a preliminary programming meeting was held between Library and Public Works staff and Lars Stanley Architects, the consultants chosen for the design and construction management of the new Montopolis/Riverside Branch Drive Library. The building program for this branch is expected to be finished by staff and delivered to Lars Stanley Architects before the end of calendar year 1999, and a design input meeting with the residents of the service area of the new library is planned for the end of January 2000. John Gillum
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