$1.3 Million approved for Colfax Library Renovations

Renovation work is scheduled to start this summer on the Colfax branch of the Placer County Library.

The project got a big boost Tuesday when the Placer County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve plans for the project and to authorize staff to go out to bid on the renovation work.

‘As a life-long fan of reading and learning, I’m excited that the expanded Colfax library will be more accessible for children, the disabled and all library users,’ said Supervisor Jennifer Montgomery, the board member who represents Colfax. ‘When renovated, the historic building will be a valuable asset to the Colfax community and will serve as an anchor for a revitalized downtown.’

The library-renovation work tentatively is scheduled to get under way in July of this year and to be completed early next year.

‘We look forward to opening the expanded library next year with more space, computers, seating and library materials,’ said county Director of Library Services Mark R. Parker. ‘We are excited that the new library will keep the flavor of the old building while meeting the current needs of the community, and we appreciate the support we have received from the community and the Friends of the Library.’

Parker also said he is pleased the project is moving forward so quickly under the direction of the county Facility Services Department and the project architect. In July 2008, the board approved hiring the Lionakis Beaumont Design Group to provide architectural and engineering services for the project.

Renovation work on the 3,600-square-foot library building at 2 West Church St. will be done in two phases. In the first phase, the vacant half of the building will be remodeled. In the second, the library will move into the newly renovated space and its old quarters will be remodeled.

When the project is complete, the library will take over the entire building.

The project will include:

    * Parking and site-work improvements;
    * Accessible restrooms;
    * An interior and exterior paint job;
    * A New entry, flooring, ceiling, doors, windows and roof;
    * New fire-sprinkler and alarm systems;
    * Electrical, mechanical and structural upgrades; and
    * A layout that will make it easier for the disabled to move around the library.

Deputy Facility Services Director Joel Swift told the board that the county incorporated into the project suggestions from the Colfax City Council and Weimar-Applegate-Colfax Municipal Advisory Council.

Swift said the building will retain its mission-style architecture and the county will use recycled materials in some cases during the renovation work. The building’s tin ceiling tiles were too damaged to be saved, but county Project Manager Lisa James, with the assistance of the architect and library staff, found new tin tiles that are a close match.

The total funds appropriated for the project are $1.3 million. The architect estimates construction to be $680,000.