GREENFIELD — Despite a delay in receiving bricks to begin exterior masonry, the new library on Main Street remains on time and on budget.
“We are re-sequencing events to achieve the end date,” Project Manager Daniel Pallotta told members of the Library Building Committee on Thursday, noting the brick is now expected to arrive by mid-August. “We’re getting the brick you selected. We will not accept anything less for the taxpayers of Greenfield.”
Greenfield Public Library Director Ellen Boyer previously said she anticipates being able to move into the new building sometime during the spring of 2023.
In 2019 — seven years after the vision for a new library was first discussed — Greenfield voters approved building a new library with a 61% positive vote. The $19.5 million appropriation accounts for construction costs as well as the cost of the architect, project manager, furniture and fixtures, according to Library Building Committee Co-Chair Ed Berlin.
In addition to a $9.4 million grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, the Greenfield Public Library Foundation pledged to raise about $2 million, reducing the city’s cost to about $8.1 million. The foundation announced in January it had reached its $2 million goal.
According to the latest update from P-Three Inc. in Norwell, progress on the roof is well underway, electrical work is being completed and the sprinkler system has been installed. By September, the company expects to be parking in a new paved lot.
Pallotta also told the Library Building Committee that work relating to the presence of unsuitable soils is near completion.
“They’re almost to grade with everything,” he said.
He noted there is an electrical vault in the way, which Pallotta is working with Eversource on for an easement.
“Other than that, we’re in pretty good shape,” he said.
Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne