GREENFIELD — After nearly a decade in the making, the city has awarded a contract to D.A. Sullivan & Sons Inc. to construct the new library on Main Street.
With a contract of $14.3 million, the Northampton-based construction company was the lowest bidder, according to Project Manager Daniel Pallotta, of P-Three Inc. in Norwell. The bid includes a base bid as well as four alternates.
“The budget can handle that,” Pallotta told the Library Building Committee on Thursday. “You have the luxury of being able to afford this with everything in the project. It is a fantastic bid.”
As they cast their votes in the affirmative, members of the Library Building Committee commented on how big a “relief” it is to have finally reached this point.
“This has been a long process, and what a wonderful day this is today,” said Greenfield Public Library Director Ellen Boyer.
In 2019 — seven years after the vision for a new library was first discussed — Greenfield voters approved building a new library with a 61 percent positive vote. The $19.5 appropriation accounts for construction costs as well the cost of the architect, project manager, furniture and fixtures, according to Ed Berlin, co-chair of the Library Building Committee.
In addition to a $9.4 million grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners for the project, the Greenfield Public Library Foundation has said it will contribute about $2 million, reducing the city’s cost to about $8.1 million.
Tim Farrell, co-chair of the Library Building Committee, emphasized that despite the national trend in rising construction costs, the project came in on budget.
“I was ecstatic to see that (D.A. Sullivan & Sons) came in with the price that they did,” Farrell said. “That’s great news for the project. That’s great news for the area to have someone like D.A Sullivan involved.”
Berlin called it a “special day” for the city.
“I’m so happy to be able to vote yes … to a budget that’s going to be on budget with a contractor as a good as (D.A) Sullivan & Sons,” he said.
Library Building Committee member Amy Moscaritolo echoed the enthusiasm of other members.
“I am delighted beyond words to be keeping this project in the valley with a local general contractor who will employ local tradesmen,” she added. “I am beyond excited to vote yes on this.”
Mayor Roxann Wedegartner said she is delighted with the way the Greenfield Public Library project is turning out.
“As somebody who now has to keep their eye on the ball and on the budget, I am particularly happy with where it came in at,” she said. “What a great job all the way around. I think where the bid came in, I have every hope that bodes well for the Fire Station down the road in a few months.”
Berlin said all the necessary benchmarks to receive the $9.4 million state grant have been met, allowing the city to move forward.
Construction of the new library is expected to start in mid-August, provided a building permit is obtained by July 1 and pending progress on moving the Fire Department to a temporary building in the Hope Street municipal parking lot. The current Fire Station on Main Street will be razed to make way for the new library.
Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne