Renovation of a library in Manitou Springs, Colorado. Completed plans call for the renovation of a library.

https://gazette.com/pikespeakcourier/manitou-springs-library-remodel/article_6bcde73c-9469-11ee-80f7-43b79862927b.html The city of Manitou Springs and the Pikes Peak Library District recently struck a deal that will provide the last major piece of funding needed to remodel the historic Carnegie Library. “We are very excited about this,” said Aaron Salt, president of the district’s board, noting the historic building is an excellent location to serve the elementary school across the street. The library district has agreed to pay $1.5 million upfront to lease the building at 701 Manitou Ave. for 25 years to fund the needed update to the classical Italian Renaissance structure that opened in 1911. The space is currently vacant after library operations moved to the Manitou Art Center a few years ago in response to a complaint the building was not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The construction plans propose a nearly 3,000-square-foot addition and an interior remodel, bringing the total space up to more than 6,000 square feet. The city’s fundraising campaign expected the project would cost about $3.7 million, and the district’s contribution will bring the amount set aside for the project up to $3.9 million. The city itself provided $1.5 million for the remodel. The city expects it will receive an additional $250,000 from the State Historical Fund and $100,000 from the Manitou Arts Culture and Heritage board, providing about $4.26 million for the project, city documents said. The deal could allow the remodel to break ground next spring, city documents stated. The city will oversee the remodel, but the district expects to be involved in weekly stakeholder calls, Salt said. The district’s board unanimously approved the deal, and the Manitou Springs City Council voted 6 to 1 to approve the lease agreement. The upfront payment is expected to save the city over $1 million in interest, Salt said. “This is a very attractive package financially,” Mayor John Graham said during a November meeting. The district will be required to operate the library at least 20 hours a week under the lease agreement, unless prevented by holidays, weather, labor shortages or other circumstances outside the library’s control, according to the lease. The library will also continue to operate the Makerspace at the Manitou Art Center, Graham said. After the first 25 years, the district would have the option to renew the lease for an additional 10 years. The district asked for the option to extend the lease to show its commitment to the community, Salt said. Manitou Springs City Councilwoman Julie Wolfe was the lone vote against the lease and questioned whether the district would be paying fair rent. “We have no way of knowing if the amount of rent they want to pay us is fair,” she said. Graham said compiling a fair comparison was tough, since the library’s other leases vary widely, but the agreement does achieve the shared goal of renovating the historic building. “I think we have that common interest, and we should pursue that,” he said. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reference Number 0000329646 The City of Manitou Springs is accepting bids for the rehabilitation of the historic Carnegie Library and a new addition onto the existing building. The addition consists of a new stair and elevator portion as well as a lower library floor, with exterior roof deck and significant excavation and structural underpinning. The historic interior of the library is receiving new finishes and minor improvements. Acceptance Deadline 09/28/2023 5:00 PM MDT Questions are submitted online No Questions are to be addressed to the contact person and must be submitted via email. Notice of Award will be by Wednesday, November 8, 2023. Bonding is required. in the amount of one hundred percent (100%) of the total project cost. For fifty percent (50%) of project cost *The City reserves the right, if it deems such action to be in its best interests, to reject any and all Bids or to waive any irregularities or informalities therein. The City requires the project to commence prior to January 1, 2024 Contact Person Katie Hillson at khillson@manitouspringsco.gov The work of the Project is defined by the Contract Documents and consists of the following: a. The project encompasses all work to rehabilitate an existing library branch building and an addition to the existing building. This includes: o ADA accessibility enclosed lift addition with foyer o Installing ADA restroom. o Grade improvements. o Constructing Retaining Walls to Facilitate the ADA Compliant Grades. o Cut curb to provide maintenance and ADA access. o Select built-in casework along with the new portion of the building. o Interior rehabilitation, lighting, and electrical upgrades. o Restoring historic windows. o Removing lower-level partition. o Exterior brick repointing. o Addition with rooftop terrace for community and lower level with study rooms and library services. o Rerouting/Installing conduit and other utilities lines. b. Installing New Lower-Level Vestibule Contract documents include, but are not limited to, all drawings in the construction set as well as construction specifications. Acceptance of the contract award constitutes an agreement to build the project as specified and detailed in the construction documents.