Excavation Resumes 12-28-10, Despite the Snow!

The snow has stopped, and the wind has died down. There is about 8" of snow on top of everything, but excavation has begun again. The power shovel is in back of the library loading top soil into dump trucks to haul away. Crews are making plans to install a temporary stairway and fire exit door. The work continues!

Holiday break brought snow storm, but work to begin again 12-28-10

SITE PREPARATION FOR THE LIBRARY EXPANSION IS UNDER WAY!
The GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY for the project will be held on Sat., Jan. 8, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. All Avon residents are invited. Click here for the program flyer.

The holiday break brought 8 to 10" of snow on 12-26 and 12-27-10, and not much was done on Monday 12-27. Tomorrow crews begin work again in earnest. The construction crews start at 7 a.m. and most finish around 3 or 3:30 p.m. It's very exciting to see the project finally moving ahead!

SITE PREPARATION HAS BEGUN!

December 20, 2010

Site preparation for the library expansion is under way! The architect, construction manager, Avon Public Works Director and other staff are here this morning going over plans, delivering conduit, and removing trees to make way for the new foundation. It's sad to see the trees come down, but we have to let go of the old to make room for the new. It's very exciting to see the project finally moving ahead.

If you become a follower of the blog, you will get postings in your e-mail box as soon as they are live. We will be posting as often as possible to keep you up to date with the progress of the project, and this will include photos at the site.

                                             We got the green light!

At the December 1st Town Council meeting, Town Council members voted to authorize the Town Manager to sign the construction documents to begin the library expansion project! Work may begin as soon as December 20, 2010.

Article From The Avon News, 12-1-10

Article from The Hartford Courant, 12-2-10

From the Town of Avon Newsletter, October 2010

The project to renovate and expand the Avon Free Public Library is moving along. The State Bond Commission gave final approval to the $1 million construction grant August 17. With this last piece of the major funding sources in place, work on the detailed construction was completed at a rapid pace and it is planned that construction will begin in late October or early November. The Library will remain open on site throughout construction and residents are asked in advance to be patient with the noise and dust that accompanies major projects such as this one. “Staying put” ensures a continuation of most of the library’s services besides saving on the project funding. Residents should be aware that the library will have to close periodically when required to by the construction schedule. Every effort will be made to widely publicize those changes in the schedule.
Children’s programming will be offered throughout the first phase of the construction while the library remains in the current space. Since the community room will be unavailable, adult programming will be at a minimum and outside groups will not be able to use the library for their meetings. Once the addition is completed, possibly in the summer of 2011, the library will move into the new space and the renovation of the old part will commence. Completion of the project is anticipated to be January 2012.

The fundraising campaign committee spearheaded by the Library’s Board of Directors has made excellent progress towards its initial goal. They are in the process of soliciting leadership-level gifts and will officially launch the community-wide campaign at the end of October.

The revised site plan (see previous post) shows improved traffic flow, convenient access to a drive through book drop and handicapped parking spaces are closer to the building than they are presently. There will be twice as many parking spaces than at present with generous plantings to buffer the neighbors. The approach to the building will be different but it will offer more convenience for Avon residents.
For an up-to-date view of the revised site plan and floor diagrams, stop by the Library or view on the library’s website: http://www.avonctlibrary.info/
expansion blog updates and project pages.

Library Expansion Site Plan Approved, Sept. 14, 2010

For a full-page view, click here.

On Sept. 14, 2010 the Avon Planning and Zoning Commission approved the proposed site plan for the Avon Library expansion. A 10' X 20' room will be added to the existing building for a drive-by book drop with its own driveway, a feature highly desired by library patrons.  The plan includes additional parking spaces, including handicapped closer to the building, and a curb cut at the main entrance for easy access for those in wheelchairs, using walkers, or pushing baby strollers. The grounds will be landscaped to bring out the natural beauty of the setting.

Governor Rell Announces $1 Million Grant for Avon Library Expansion!

On August 17, 2010 the State Bonding Commission met and approved bonding for Avon Free Public Library's $1 million building expansion grant. To read the exciting press release, go to http://www.avonctlibrary.info/PDFS/governor's_news_release_grant_8-2010.pdf