Greenwood council takes next step in library remodel
At its latest meeting, the Greenwood City Council approved the remodeling and floor plan of the Greenwood Public Library while also discussing the options it has to fund the project. With a little more than $100,000 in funding having been awarded to the city through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in July of last year, the council is considering how much of a project they could take on without affecting the budget or taxpayers.
The council listened to a report from city clerk/treasurer Kayla Schar, who spoke about both the library’s remodeling project, and the $104,459 in ARPA funds the city has available to use. Some bids have already been received on the remodeling project, which would see the portions of the building formerly used as city hall renovated into smaller meeting rooms for events and gatherings for Social Services, as well as repair heating, lighting and flooring in the building.
“We received bids to turn the old city clerk’s office into two smaller rooms,” said Greenwood Public Library director Amber Brill in an e-mail following the Feb. 15 meeting. “One being a small meeting room for Social Service visits and other small group visits... The other side of the renovation will take place on the current program room. That will be renovated so that it will retain heat better and get it ready for the potential expansion, if and when that happens. Lighting and flooring will be updated in both sides, as well as some new electrical and plumbing.”
The estimated cost of the current remodeling project stands at $40,000. Following a state statute which requires an engineer to consult on projects costing more than $25,000, the final cost of the project will be a little higher than the current estimate. According to Schar, engineering costs would add about $6,000 to the current estimate, putting the total cost closer to $47,000.
If the city can use the ARPA funding, which must be used before the end of 2024, the remodeling project will not affect the city’s overall budget. But there are limits on what the funds can be used for and a report has to be made as to how each dollar is spent. Wages for law enforcement or other emergency services were given as an example of where the funds are allowed to be spent, and if the city were to allocate the ARPA funds to one of those areas of the regular budget, it could free up that budget money to be spent on the library project.
At the end of the discussion, the council approved the remodeling project and will work to hire an engineer for the project. The council also approved the floor plan unveiled at the meeting for the remodel.
In other action taken by the council at its Feb. 15 meeting, the council approved the installation of new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) equipment in the George Scherer Athletic Park. The ADA equipment will consist of a merry-goround and an all-inclusive swing and will cost a total of $15,000. The council also approved replacing the old swing set in the park with new swings, including a baby swing set.
The council also approved the naming of the park located on Main Street next to the public library as the Peace Memorial Park, and was to look into possible signage at the site to be posted later this year. The council also approved a fee right-of-way and temporary limited easement near the newly named Peace Memorial Park to allow the state to fix the sidewalk so it would meet ADA standards. Finally, the council was updated on the planned work on Miller Street that is set to begin in June and be completed by the end of September.
