Ludington Library Renovation Project May 20, 2009

Answering the Questions Opening Remarks / Brian Gordon

Why is this project necessary? Will the library’s needs be addressed?

Chris Steckel

Why is this project necessary?

To recap: ADA Accessibility Upgrades Health, Safety & Welfare Concerns Deferred Maintenance Space Constriction Technology Infrastructure Upgrades

Will the Library’s needs be addressed?

Yes – the project will provide: Universal ADA Accessibility RFID Security, Sight Lines & Controlled Access All Deferred Maintenance Completed A 10,400 sq ft Addition & Remote Storage RFID, New Resource Stations & Wiring Upgrades

Why talk separately about Storm Water Management?

Chris Steckel

Why talk separately about Storm Water?

Storm water management not included in the estimates Township to meet the full intent of the Code Opportunity to address a long time problem at Bryn Mawr & Lancaster Avenues Opportunity to achieve economies of scale* *Cost to the Project: $80,000

How would you describe the “Green” Project Elements?

Jim Keller, VITETTA

What is the Green Roof made of?

Components: a vegetative* roof assembly combined with a hybrid tri-polymer alloy (TPA) roof membrane.

*Shallow planting beds with hardy, low growing vegetation

How does the Green Roof work?

Reduces impact on storm water system Stores water to irrigate roof vegetation Retains very little heat Cleans and filters the air Helps cool the air Reduces noise within the building

What are the benefits?

Vegetation protects roofing membrane from temperature fluctuations* Can extend membrane life 2-3 times longer than conventional roofing *Main cause of roofing failure

What will be the cost savings –with & without rate caps?

Only a full energy audit and HVAC modeling can determine cost savings, especially in a building made up of 5 generations of construction.* *Township staff projects a 2% reduction in energy savings, or $600-$835 per year

How long to recover the expense?

Using only the marginal cost of the vegetative roofing system ($270,000), expenses are recovered in 30-40 years. Possible pay back in 40-60 years.* *Cost recovery comes from the difference in longevity of the VRS.

What is the impact on HVAC costs?

3-5% reduction for the cooling season in the addition - 2-3% reduction for the year in the addition To calculate this fully, VITETTA would charge $5-7 thousand

What is the environmental impact?

Lower materials usage Reducing storm water quantity Reducing pollution Reducing the Urban Heat Island Effect

Could solar panels be used?

VITETTA engineers have determined that solar hot water heater panels would not provide pay back for the township. It may be feasible to add them, but the hot water usage is very low for a library. Water usage is key to cost recovery in solar heating systems.

Cost versus benefit of Green choices?

Cost benefit analyses of Green design require energy audits and modeling, especially in renovations. As discussed, both operational cost benefits and social benefits come from sustainable design elements. Amortized cost recovery, however, is often difficult to verify.

Ludington and LEED?

What would the impact be on architectural fees and time to document all the existing green aspects of the Ludington renovation, with the goal of achieving the highest possible LEED rating?* *For use in a specific energy grant opportunity

Could Ludington be LEED rated?

Ludington was not designed for LEED certification. It would cost approximately $75-85,000 in administrative fees to apply for certification, six months to redesign the project, and fee impact could be modest or $150,000 - $200,000 to carry this out.

What percentage of the furniture could be considered “sustainable”?

100 percent

Will the Township review materials & fittings for the new space?

The design and construction documents call for durable, commercial grade product. Usually Add Alternates contain premium product. No premium products are being recommended.

Why eliminate existing green space, then add a green roof?

The need for growth doesn’t stop. Positive ways to adjust for the downside of that growth exist in the current architectural and construction environment. This is one way to have both conservative development and green.

Why add 10,000 square feet open to the second floor (HVAC costs)?

Although it’s a two-story space, the volume of unused space is not truly heated and air-conditioned. The structure will support extending the second floor if necessary in upcoming years.

The plans don’t call for additional internet stations – why?

The plans add a few stations. Our decision on this remains to encourage the use of laptops & wireless. However, we have not abandoned adding more PCs, which we plan to do slowly, following usage measurements.

Are we eliminating study carrels? Yes. They are under utilized and take up much needed space.

The architect has incorporated two staff desks – reference & circulation?

Yes. Reference and circulation exist now as stations and will in the renovation. An additional welcome station has been included on the first floor to be staffed by existing personnel as necessary.

Is there less space for books?

Shelving is reduced, but the collection will be current and useful. The full range of materials associated with Ludington will be available quickly and easily via requests from remote storage.

Do both entrances have to be ADA compliant?

The Library System is committed to universal ADA accessibility, and an entrance from Lancaster Avenue, consistent with the Bryn Mawr Master Plan, will be accessible via an elevator. The elevator has always been in the plan for use by those entering from the parking lot.

Do we need a 2 nd meeting room, could the large print room serve the tutors?

Ludington has always had and used two meeting rooms. The tutors need more space (and separation from one another) than the large print room would give them.

Do we need a large break room, separate offices & segregated toilets?

The break room isn’t larger than the current break room, which has been used for meeting space in the past. Office space & segregated toilets echo the current building layout.

Are cafes more fad than fixture? Doesn’t the library bar food now?

We are providing a no-frills area for food and drink that is near but not quite in the library proper. As the book superstores have learned, providing this comfort element has served them well in sales and service.

What will we do for library service during construction?

Chris Steckel

What are our Interim Operations options?

Stay Open & Phase Construction Not recommended Close Completely / Public uses other libraries Close but offer a “Mini” or “Lite” operation in Bryn Mawr

What is staff recommending?

Phasing the project is not recommended: Adds 6 – 12 months to project length Adds 20 - 30% in cost Creates safety & ADA issues Would not be fully functioning Ludington May not be feasible at all

What is staff recommending Complete shutdown / no service in Bryn Mawr Closes Montgomery Cty’s largest library Puts burdens on neighboring libraries Puts burdens on our own libraries

What is staff recommending?

Close Ludington for the project year Establish a Ludington outpost in Bryn Mawr Redeploy Ludington staff to Staff Ludington Outpost Assist the remaining libraries Carry out RFID & essential project tasks Cost=$81,000

What was learned from the Independent Cost Estimate?

Doug Cleland

What was learned from the Independent Cost Estimate?

VITETTA ESTIMATE BECKER & FRONDORF $10.70 million – Overall .08 million – Storm water .27 million – Green roof .08 million – Lud Lite $ 8.70 million – Overall $ .08 million – Storm water $ .27 million – Green roof $ .08 million – Lud Lite TOTAL $11.13 million TOTAL $ 9.13 million

How would you Characterize the Bid Environment?

Doug Cleland

What is the Status of the Capital Campaign?

Jane Williams

How does the Library Community View the Project?

Helen Weary & Michael Golden

Is the Project Affordable & have the four criteria for bid been met?

Doug Cleland

What are the four criteria for movement to the bid phase?

Independent Cost Estimate Bid Environment Township’s Fiscal Condition Fundraising Status

Action Items Brian Gordon

Motion: Move to Bid That the Ludington Library Renovation Project be moved into the Bid Phase, including staff’s recommendation for Interim Operations.

Motion: Add Green Roof That the new addition proposed for the Ludington Library includes a Vegetative “Green” Roof.

Board & Public Comment