The contract hadn’t been signed yet, but approximately 70 people gathered in the parking lot of the Commerce Public Library Friday to mark the beginning of a long-awaited expansion project.
After hearing from a variety of public officials about the need for the 5,000-square-foot addition, its history and acknowledgements regarding those playing key roles in making it happen, 12 people struggled to penetrate the centipede covered back yard for the traditional groundbreaking photograph.
“The contract is on the way to my office,” explained Beth McIntyre, director of the Piedmont Regional Library, which is overseeing the project.
The contract was executed Tuesday and Benning Construction Co. expects to start work at the South Broad Street site next week. The target for "substantial completion" is the end of December, according to Jill Lerner, director of marketing for Benning.
Until then, library services take place in the former Video Warehouse building located in Commerce Plaza Shopping Center on Maysville Road.
“It is wonderful to have these great people who love library education,” said library director Miguel Vicente, who presided over the event. “The library is education,” he added.
Vicente introduced guests that included local city officials, Piedmont Regional Library personnel, members of the Commerce Library Board, representatives of the architectural firm Ponder & Ponder, and representatives of the contractor, Benning Construction. McIntyre introduced her staff members present, as well as representatives from Georgia Public Library Services, including Alan Harkness, who was PRL director when the project began.
Mayor Clark Hill added his thanks for what he called “a case of will and determination” in a community that raised more than $580,000 to match a state grant for the $2 million expansion. He singled out Dr. Narasimhulu Neelagaru, who made the largest single contribution.
“You made a contribution that will have an impact for generations,” Hill said.
Rep. Tommy Benton called the expansion “a project that goes to show what Commerce and the rest of Jackson County are about," and reminded those present of the lengthy process of getting the project on the state funding list, getting the money allocated and of getting the bonds sold, calling it “an example of how the state and local community can come together and do something.”
Architect of record Rob Ponder predicted that, “it will be amazing to walk in the new doors and see the new ‘Wow!’ when the project is completed.
Ponder also pointed out that vehicles will no longer enter the library campus off South Elm Street. Its new (front) entrance will come off Elizabeth Street.
Ponder noted that the original structure — the rectangular portion — was built in 1968, and the addition — the round portion — was built in 1986.
