Throughout spring and summer 2021, Wilmette Public Library completed a series of necessary repairs to the building. The project’s scope of work is composed of planned maintenance and improvements identified in the 2020 Capital Reserve Study. Coordinated to reduce impacts to the public, the renovation is designed to address priority issues related to Building Integrity, Health/Life Safety, and Water Infiltration/Remediation, and to deliver an overall quality reinvestment in this valued community resource.

In spring/summer 2020, Wilmette Public Library coordinated with Engberg Anderson Architects to complete a comprehensive evaluation of the Library’s facilities, grounds, and all related building assets. The results of the assessment comprised the 2020 Capital Reserve Study.

While creating an inventory of all capital assets and a tracking tool for planned maintenance of the Library’s facility over the next 20 years, the study also identified priority projects (including code updates, health and life safety improvements, building and system integrity investment, and system end-of-life replacements). Our first series of projects in response to this study represent the highest priority work and the highest anticipated commitment of Special Reserve funds over the next 20 years of planned maintenance.

The 2021 Capital Repairs Project represents the most extensive set of planned building repairs and system replacements during the 20 year cycle that was evaluated in the Capital Reserve Study.
The project covers a coordinated set of priority work including:

1. Extensive roof repairs,
2. Complete building envelope cleaning and tuck-pointing,
3. Exterior sealant replacement,
4. Parking lot paver repair and restriping,
5. Water infiltration mediation in the lower level,
6. Update and replacement of electrical mains, feeders, and branch panels,
7. Update and replacement of the fire alarm system, and
8. Update and replacement of the access control and security systems.

The project began in March 2021, and was complete in September 2021.

The Library’s architects and engineers (Engberg Anderson) coordinated with the construction management team (Shales-McNutt) to design the necessary systems and solutions to meet the Library’s long range objectives and deliver the best return on investment possible for the Library and community.

Comparing the proposed work to recently completed projects in other districts, Shales McNutt provided the Library with unit pricing estimates that very closely match the anticipated costs identified by Engberg Anderson separately in 2020.

The 2021 Capital Repairs Project was presented in 2 bid packages relative to the trades associated with the work:

Bid Package 1, advertised the week of January 18, 2021, included priority exterior repairs: tuck-pointing, sealant replacement, and roof repair work. Proposals for Bid Package 1 were due February 9. Following review and vetting with the project team, recommendations were presented and approved by the Library Board at their February 16, 2021 Regular Meeting.

The Board approved the recommended proposals for:

• 1. Masonry & Tuckpointing, in the amount of $197,000 to Berglund Construction Company; and
• 2. Roofing, in the amount of $264,400 to L. Marshall Roofing.

Both vendors were the lowest responsive and qualified bidders.

Bid Package 2, advertised for bid on February 11, 2021, included interior repairs and replacements: extensive electrical work (mains, feeders, relocations of branch panels, etc.), fire alarm system replacement, and access control and security systems. Proposals for Bid Package 2 were due March 5. Following review and vetting with the project team, recommendations were presented and approved by the Library Board at their March 16, 2021 Regular Meeting.

The Board approved the recommended proposals for:

• 1. General Trades, in the amount of $152,700 to Ostrander Construction; and
• 2. Electrical, in the amount of $615,500 to Hy-Power Electric Company.

Both vendors were the lowest responsible bidders.

The total project costs for both bid packages for the 2021 Capital Repair Project is $1,882,257 (about $100,000 lower than was initially projected by Shales McNutt Construction prior to bidding, and what was initially estimated in the 2020 Capital Reserve Study for this work). Further, the total project cost was able to include other planned work to reduce impacts to operations, including: repair of the west vestibule curtain wall, replacement of the carpeting in the entry vestibule, and repair and restriping of the existing permeable paver parking lot.

• September 2, 2021: Lower level non-fiction area reopened, and shelving systems reinstalled; low voltage work continues.
• August 31, 2021: Staff restored light electrical systems and prepare building for public reopening on September 1, 2021.
• August 30, 2021: Main electrical service restored and tested; major electrical systems powered on.
• August 27, 2021: Parking lot paver repair work complete, re-striping of parking lot complete.
• August 23, 2021: Cloth wiring has been removed; masonry work around main electrical service repaired.
• August 16, 2021: Main electrical service disconnected and gear installation begins; parking lot paver project begins.
• August 13, 2021: General trades work related to doors, hardware, and other equipment completed.
• August 7, 2021: Temporary/backup power activated ahead of August 16-30 power outage.
• August 6, 2021: Lower level drain tile installation complete; concrete floor has been poured.
• August 2, 2021: New main electrical gear assembled and installed; conduit cores complete.
• July 26, 2021: Low voltage cabling for new fire alarm system, security cameras, and access control system in progress throughout the building.
• July 14, 2021: Installation of temporary/backup electrical service for critical systems begins.
• July 12, 2021: Asbestos abatement project begins/completed, with no asbestos found.
• July 6, 2021: Drain tile project begins; portions of lower level non-fiction collection will be unavailable through August.
• July 2, 2021: Roof repair project substantially complete; punchlist items are being addressed.
• June 23, 2021: Low voltage electrical project begins throughout building with demolition of older systems.
• June 2, 2021: Roof repair project begins; temporary fencing installed in alley while equipment and materials are being staged.
• May 27, 2021: Tuckpointing project complete; fencing and equipment in parking lot removed.
• May 10, 2021: Tuckpointing begins in alley; project fencing along Wilmette Avenue moved, sidewalk reopened.
• March 29, 2021: Project fencing installed on south façade, masonry project begins.
• March 16, 2021: Board of Library Trustees approves Bid Package 2.
• February 16, 2021: Board of Library Trustees approves Bid Package 1.
• Fall/Winter 2020-21: Contracted vendors and staff coordinate details of the project, prepare designs, and issue project for bidding.
• October 20, 2020: Board of Library Trustees approves contracts with Engberg Anderson Architects for architectural services, Shales-McNutt Construction for construction management services, LPS Pavement Co. for summer 2021 permeable paver parking lot repairs, and Reliant Contract Glass Inc. for repair to the west curtain wall and glass.
• August 13, 2020: Engberg Anderson Architects presents the Capital Reserve Study project deliverables to the Board of Library Trustees, and discusses the results and next steps.