Site work and new construction of a library in Manchester, Connecticut. Working plans call for the construction of a 75,000-square-foot library; and for site work for a library.

As of June 7, 2024, a construction manager has been selected and this project is in the pre-construction/negotiated status. Schematic design is underway. It is anticipated sub-bidding will commence November 2024, with construction starting in spring 2025. *The closed solicitation has been included below for reference: The current main library, the Mary Cheney Library at 586 Main Street, is a colonial brick building constructed in 1937 and later expanded in 1962 to a size of 26,135 square feet. In the North End of town is the Whiton Branch Library, a 1932 structure of approximately 12,500 sq. ft. which will be unchanged during this project. For many years the Manchester Public Library has been ranked among the top four public libraries in the state in terms of annual loaning of materials and is often ranked first for the loaning of children's books. Manchester is an increasingly diverse community with a 2020 population of 59,713. In November 2022, town voters approved a bond referendum to construct a new library building of approximately 75,000 sq. ft. at a site, 1041 Main Street, in the process of being purchased by the Town with the existing building soon to be removed. The new facility design shall include about 2,000 sq. ft. of space for non-library programming by other municipal departments and/or outside enterprises which will have direct access to outside and connection from the library building interior. The construction project scope includes the Towns property acquisition and demolition of the existing bank building as the initial phase of the construction. The current Mary Cheney Library will later be repurposed, outside the scope of these CM services. Below is the Conceptual Design by HBM/Friar as part of a pre-referendum study to evaluate potential sites and provide concepts to support the Towns approval of funding for the project. Architectural Design - Under a separate RFP, the Town of Manchester has solicited proposals to perform the architectural & engineering services for the final design of the new Manchester Library. An award is expected by early August 2023. DEADLINE FOR QUESTIONS: July 31, 2023