Sound & Communications February 2009 Issue

Government Facilities & Public WorksA new, auspicious way of thinking.By Dan FerrisiThe federal government, just like theprivate sector, has been feeling the illeffects of an economy in recession.After all, the financial “pie” is only solarge and, with money going to bailoutsand such, there have to be sometradeoffs. Nevertheless, in terms ofgovernment spending on projects suchas libraries, schools, hospitals, airportsand prisons, the Obama Administrationmight promise a brighter future, whatwith the president’s promise to reinvestin infrastructure and public services.Whatever the future might hold, publicworks spending does still persist, despitesome unambiguous belt tightening.Examine the following survey ofconstruction activity; the opportunitiesremain numerous.In Avon CT, the Avon Free PublicLibrary recently received a $1 millionConnecticut State Library constructiongrant for expansion and renovation ofthe library, an undertaking that willcost about $9.5 million. The town anda private fundraising campaign wouldsecure the balance of the funding.The existing library building openedin 1982 and underwent renovation in1997. This expansion would add 22,000square feet, more than doubling thesize of the existing 18,000-square-footstructure.Library Taking ShapeIn West Chester OH, West ChesterTownship’s new library is taking shape:The more than $13 million project entailsalmost 50,000 square feet (as comparedto the current 15,000 square feet),with completion expected next Fall.The new library will boast expandedsections for children and youngadults, as well as spacious communityrooms, a café and automated checkoutstations. Construction commenced inJune on the facility.An addition of the Deming (WA)Library opened in December, followinga long fundraising campaign and18 months of work. Constructionkicked off in Spring 2007 on the new4000-square-foot space. The old 2500-square-foot library was running out ofroom. The addition, which cost roughly$800,000 to complete, is merely theinitial phase of the expansion project.Phase two entails renovating the originallibrary building, which will costabout $30,000. The third phase is renovatingthe parking lot. Those phaseswill be executed when the money is inhand. Once renovations are complete,the Deming Library will encompass7000 square feet.A Solid FoundationIn Temple TX’s Temple Public Library, construction workers havetaken up alongside the patrons. Workhas begun on the library’s foundation,the first of two stages in the building’srenovation plan. Stage two will involverenovating the interior of the formerBank of America on the north side ofthe building for library use. Remodelingof the former bank section willinclude taking out the teller line, creatinga circulation office and removingthe wall between the bank and thelibrary. A teen area will take the placeof the current AV room, and the bankvault will be employed for storage andmaintenance.In Palm Harbor FL, the Palm HarborLibrary renovation is a success.Reconstruction of the facility, encompassing26,000 square feet, was completedin four phases, which helped tokeep the library maximally open. Theconcluding phase of improvements tothe front lobby, restrooms, checkoutarea and community room did forcethe library’s closure in October. At thiswriting, the building was scheduled toreopen January 5. The $1 million-plusproject was funded partially througha $500,000 state library constructiongrant. The facility’s inside has beenremodeled, including improved lighting.It also features a larger children’sarea, redesigned reference area anda Friends of the Palm Harbor LibraryBookstore.In San Antonio TX, the Departmentof Defense is preparing to commenceconstruction on a nearly $725 millionexpansion of Brooke Army MedicalCenter (BAMC). The project willmerge the trauma and emergency functionsof BAMC at Fort Sam Houstonwith those of Wilford Hall, the hospitalat Lackland Air Force Base. WilfordHall will be an outpatient surgical center.BAMC, which has the Army’s soleburn center and houses numerous amputees,will add almost 760,000 squarefeet. Construction was scheduled tobegin last month. The realignmentof the facilities must be completed bySeptember 2011.On Track, Under BudgetIn Mountain View CA, El CaminoHospital administrators have reportedthat the new facility is on track and underbudget. Construction kicked off onthe more than $450 million building in2006 to meet new state seismic regulations.The hospital, spanning about 460,000square feet on five floors, will boast privaterooms and baths equipped withwireless technology for each of itsroughly 240 patients, a larger emergencyroom and areas for families tostay on each floor. Construction willwrap in July 2009. The new hospital66 Sound & Communicationswww.soundandcommunications.com