FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2005

STATEMENT OF MAYOR ALEX KNOPP CELEBRATING “TOPPING OFF” OF SOUTH NORWALK LIBRARY RENOVATION AND EXPANSION PROJECT

Today is a landmark day for the historic South Norwalk Library as we celebrate the topping off of the construction project. This traditional ceremony at a construction site is a significant milestone because it marks the completion of the foundations and the “topping off” of the structural steel framework of the building. We’re getting the job done of improving and expanding the South Norwalk Library.

Crews from AP Construction will now begin the process of constructing the exterior “skin” of the building. This work is proceeding on schedule to enclose the new additions before winter weather arrives.

But this “topping off” ceremony is especially significant for this project, because it also heralds the fact that our design, construction and management teams have been successful in overcoming the architectural and structural challenges involved in renovating this historic 1913 Carnegie style building.

For example, over the years all of the original blueprints for the building were either lost or destroyed, leaving the project team to address discovery issues simultaneously with the re-building process.

These challenges have been met with the significant cooperation of the architectural firm of Schoenhardt Architects and the crews from AP Construction, with the leadership of the Norwalk Facilities Construction Commission, its staff Alan Lo and its Program Manager, the Gilbane Building Company.

Despite the challenges, the project remains on its $4.3 million overall budget. The project is on schedule for completion of construction late this winter, with a target to reopen the library next spring.

The South Norwalk Library project consists of a three-story steel and masonry structure with approximately 11,000 sf of renovated floor area and 3,000 sf of new additions. When complete the project will include the addition of a three-story stair tower and elevator on the West side and a two-story stair tower on the East side.

The renovations within the building consist of the main library areas, children’s library, circulation desks, reading areas, work areas, many computer spaces, and a new lobby area in the west addition. The additions will provide code required elevator and stair access to all levels of the building, opening up the 2^nd floor meeting room that had been closed for years due to non-code compliance. New restroom facilities will also be provided on all three floors as part of the new additions.

I especially want to thank our key partners, the Second Taxing District and its Chairman, Otha Brown, and the Connecticut State Library Board, for their support and participation.

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CLICK ON THE LINKS

ABOVE or BELOW

THE SOUTH NORWALK BRANCH LIBRARY

REOPENED

TUESDAY

SEPTEMBER 19

at NOON

"ENJOY YOUR LIBRARY"