Renovation of a library in Winnsboro, Louisiana. Completed plans call for the renovation of a library.

https://www.hannapub.com/franklinsun/news/local_state_headlines/phase-three-renovation-plans-presented-to-library-board/article_7157a24a-1825-11ed-abac-db9ed89314df.html Preliminary phase three renovation plans for Franklin Parish Library in Winnsboro were approved in the July 25 Library Board of Control meeting. Our repairs and renovations began with the roof on a one hundred year old build," said Executive Librarian Onie Parker, speaking of the on-going renovation project. "For some five to seven years, we have been dealing with a severely leaking roof. At times, it seemed that staff was spending more time mopping up water than doing the real work of the library." The construction project is expected to begin in November. Phase three includes updating the "store front" of the library. "We are trying to uncover as much as the original store front appearance as possible including windows which have been covered up for years," Parker said. Energy efficient glass will also be featured in the new "store front." Parker reported library officials have been working closely with the local Main Street board and the statewide Louisiana Main Street organization to assure historical fidelity. The Louisiana Main Street Project is headed by Winnsboro native, Ray Scriber, who has supplied preliminary sketches of the new exterior. "The board and staff have been engaged in this project for several years now and, hopefully, we can see some light at the end of the tunnel," Parker said. Financing the project has been a continuing concern for the Library Board of Control. "We are doing this very expensive project without any additional tax support," said Board President John Guice. "We shall have spent an estimated $1.6 million by the time all three phases are complete. The board has followed 'best practices' for the operation of public libraries and we have maintained a reserve of approximately one and one-half times our annual budget. This project will significantly decrease our reserve funds to a matter of several months of our annual budget, but given the age and condition of our physical plant, we really had no choice but to do this project." Dr. Bill Marrionneaux, board treasurer, added, "We have solicited and received some much-needed support from some local financial institutions and foundations. These contributions are central to the success of this renovation but we feel we will be providing a first class facility to the people of Franklin Parish which will serve the public needs for decades to come." Guice explained the problems associated with the renovation. "We were experiencing extensive water damage to our book collection as well as damage to the interior of the buildings," Guice said. "The board had tried 'patch work' solutions to the aging roof but nothing seemed to permanently solve our problems." Marrionneaux echoed Guice's remarks. "It finally become evident that we were going to have to deal with the entirety of our buildings. So we engaged the services of an engineering firm to guide us through the process of modernizing and weather proofing a 100-plus-year-old building." Phase one of the renovations was to deal with the roofing, heating and cooling issues. This phase has almost been completed. Parker explained, "Solving one roofing problem, however, seemed to uncover a myriad of other weather related problems. In my office on the second floor of the building, I can literally see the outdoors through holes in the roofing woodwork on the front of our building. So it has been obvious that our problems extended way beyond the roof." Phase two of the project addressed the interior of the building. New shelving has been installed and, according to Parker, "...has opened up the interior of the library and has provided improved, visibility and security without the building." Utilizing a grant from the Public Service Commission, new lighting has been installed in the main library and, as Parker said, "The new lighting gives a 'night and day' comparison to the old, out-dated lighting." Library Board of Control members present at the meeting were: Guice, Marrionneaux, Dorothy Parker, Emily Shields and Leslie Young. ________________________________ Sealed bids marked "Sealed Bid" will be received by the Owner for the construction of the project described as follows: Roofing and Renovations. Sealed bids to be marked "Sealed Bid -Library Roofing and Renovations, Project No, 20-03-680E". Any bid received after the specified time and date will not be considered. The information for Bidders, Form of Bid Proposal, Form of Contract, Plans, Specifications, and Forms of Bid Bond, Performance Bond and Payment Bond, and other contract documents may be examined at the following locations: Franklin Parish Library Board McManus Consulting Engineers, Inc. 705 Prairie Street 116 Smelser Road Winnsboro, LA 71295 Monroe, LA 71202 (318) 435-4336 (318) 343-5600 The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all bids for just cause; such actions will be in accordance with Title 38 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes. Each bidder must have an active DUNS Number, as verified online prior to the beginning of construction. Each Bidder must deposit with his/her bid, security in the amount, form, and subject to the conditions provided in the Information for Bidders. Sureties used for obtaining bonds must appear as acceptable on the U. S. Department of Treasury Circular 570. No bidder may withdraw his/her bid within forty-five (45) days after the actual date of the opening thereof. The Contractor shall begin mobilization and procurement of materials within ten (10) working days of the receipt of the Notice to Proceed. The Attention of Bidders is called particularly to the requirements for conditions of employment to be observed and minimum wage rates to be paid under the Contract, Section 3, Segregated Facilities, Executive Order 11246, and all applicable laws and regulations of the Federal government and State of Louisiana and bonding and insurance requirements. Any person with disabilities requiring special accommodations must contact the Owner no later than seven (7) days prior to bid opening. IN PARTICULAR, BIDDERS SHOULD NOTE THE REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS AND CERTIFICATIONS TO BE EXECUTED AND SUBMITTED WITH THE BID PROPOSAL. Owner encourages Section 3 and minority owned businesses to submit bid proposals. The Contractor shall be licensed in: Building Construction