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Boston Public Library Trustees' Capital Projects Committee Board of Trustees |
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Minutes of the October 13, 2004 Meeting Minutes of Meeting In Board of Trustees A meeting of the Trustees’ Capital Projects Committee was held in the Trustees’ Room of the Johnson Building at 10:00 a.m. Present at the meeting were: The Honorable Angelo M. Scaccia; President Bernard A. Margolis; Charles Worcester, Assistant Director, Division of Capital Construction; Alice Hennessey, Special Assistant to Mayor Thomas M. Menino; Kathleen Kirleis, Chief Financial Officer; Ed Maheigan, Budget and Procurement Manager; Kathleen Kalell, Financial Officer, the Boston Public Library Foundation; Joseph Hogan, Capital Planning and Implementation Officer; and Jamie McGlone, Clerk to the Trustees. Chairman Angelo M. Scaccia presided. The first item on the order of business was the approval of Minutes for the Trustees’ Capital Projects Committee Meeting on June 22, 2004. On a motion duly made and seconded, the Minutes for the Trustees’ Capital Projects Committee Meeting on June 22, 2004 were approved. President Bernard A. Margolis welcomed and introduced Mr. Joseph Hogan who has assumed the position of Capital Planning and Implementation Officer for the Boston Public Library. The President noted that Mr. Hogan comes to the BPL with a wide variety of capital projects management experience, including positions formerly held at Harvard and Yale University. Mr. Charles Worcester provided an update on the status and progress of the McKim Restoration project, Phase IIC which is substantially complete with the renovation of several significant public spaces including: the original Trustees’ Room, the Cheverus Room, the Abbey Room, the Sargent Gallery, and the Changing Exhibits Room located on the first floor of the McKim building. It is anticipated that the McKim Restoration project, Phase IIC will be entirely completed by January 2005 pending the successful close out of several punch list items while Phase IIC spaces will be turned back over to the Library pending the completion of fire and safety inspections. The restoration of the John Singer Sargent and Edwin Austin Abbey murals have been completed by the conservators from Straus Center for Conservation at the Harvard University Art Museums. Meanwhile, there are a few remaining project items which need to be done for the completion of the renovation of the Sargent Gallery, including the installation of gallery lighting and the restoration of the gallery floor, as well as panel lighting enhancements for the Abbey Room. The project scope for McKim Restoration, Phase IIC also includes the renovation of the McKim fifth floor, the installation of a new elevator for greater accessibility to the Abbey Foyer, the installation of a new book conveyor system, the installation of new restrooms and the upgrading of the current restrooms, window restoration, electrical and mechanical work, as well as furnishing of the McKim Lobby and the original Trustees’ Room. The architectural services for McKim Phase IIC are being provided by Shepley, Bulfinch, Richardson & Abbott, Inc. and the contractor for the project is Lee Kennedy Company. With regard to McKim Phase IIC project schedule and financing, construction is estimated to cost $14.3 million and is slated to be substantially completed by January 2005. Construction work includes background work on the heating, air conditioning, mechanical and electrical portions of the project, which were necessary for the restoration of the Abbey and Sargent Gallery murals and related building artwork. On the financial front, funding for the project is in place at the City Treasury and is estimated at a total project budget of $20.4 million, including the transfer of the $7.5 million from the State-funded match as a result of the City’s advance of $1.2 million, which has been fully reimbursed to the City of Boston. The project budget also includes funding for architectural services provided by Shepley, Bulfinch, Richardson & Abbott, Inc. coupled with additional costs related to signage, artwork restoration, furnishings and a construction contingency reserve fund. Meanwhile, preliminary planning efforts have commenced for the next phase of the project, McKim Restoration project, Phase IID. To further those ends, the Library has begun internal discussions, walk throughs, and processes pertaining to the development of the project scope and architect selection for McKim Phase IID coupled with a preliminary review of the capital funds which would need to be raised for the project. The project scope under consideration for Phase IID will include the renovation of five primary public spaces, including the Print Gallery, Music and Fine Arts Departments, the Rare Books and Manuscripts Department, and the Map Center on the McKim third floor. The project scope and related timetable for Phase IID will be crafted by utilizing the Master Plan for the Central Library which was developed by Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates. While the project schedule and timetable have not yet been developed for Phase IID, they will be driven in part by fundraising efforts and by Phase IIC’s projected completion date of January 2005. In addition, the Library would anticipate seeking funding for Phase IID with a heavy reliance on potential individual donors and federal sources estimated at a total project budget of $25 million. The fundraising strategy under consideration for Phase IID would be to compartmentalize activities targeted to individuals and constituencies who would have specific and particular interests around the collections and services provided by the five primary Library departments slated for renovation. President Margolis distributed a capital projects update on the progress impacting eighteen different branches in various phases of capital work and reviewed their current project status. The President noted that over the weekend as the exterior renovation work to the Codman Square Branch was being completed, a new transformer was being installed outside the Library which resulted in the destruction of the Branch’s interior HVAC and electrical amenities. While the Codman Square Branch was slated to reopen on October 12, 2004, the opening will be delayed pending the restoration of the electrical systems. The Connolly Branch is currently closed pending completion of an ongoing thorough cleaning and environmental review. Major construction work on the Branch has been completed, including the installation of a new elevator, new main entrance and handicap access ramp, and interior plastering and painting. In a review of additional capital projects, President Margolis provided an update and status report on the progress of the Johnson Buildingcapital projects,including significant upgrades underway for the Johnson Building Fire Alarm System in which the existing fire alarm system will remain fully in place until the new system is installed. Meanwhile, a designer has been selected for the development of a Rare Books Climate Control system and construction is complete on the McKim Basement Repairs and the Flood Recovery program except for a few remaining items to be completed on the punch list. Among the additional projects highlighted by the President is exterior renovation work that has commenced at the Lower Mills Branch Library, which was closed on October 4, 2004 pending completion of a redesigned front entry with handicap access, while plans are still in place to address pressing capital needs at the Grove Hall Branch, including repairs to the roof and HVAC system. Meanwhile, construction work has been substantially completed for renovations to the Roslindale and South Boston Branches. The roof at the South Boston Branch has been completely replaced coupled with the installation of a new ceiling and flooring. Additionally, roof repairs at the Brighton, Dudley, East Boston, Egleston and Orient Heightsare substantially complete except for addressing punch list items. The Brighton Branch Library renovation project will commence within the next few weeks and as outlined in the Capital budget includes: emergency lighting and exit signage, flooring and carpet, window treatment, and upgrading of HVAC systems along with exterior renovations. On the collaborative front, the President reported that the Boston Public Library and the Boston Parks Department are working in concert to address ADA accessibility improvements at the Parker Hill Branch by having the entrance to an unobtrusive handicap access ramp start in the park adjacent to the Library. Meanwhile, the Parker Hill Branch is currently closed to the public during the ongoing interior renovation project with an estimated January 3, 2005 reopening. The branch renovation work includes: the installation of a new elevator, new main entrance, and interior plaster and painting. On the Branch Library development front, the program statement work has been completed as part of the siting studies for the Mattapan and Uphams Corner Branch Libraries by the firm of Schwartz Silver Architects. Meanwhile, the City has approved the Public Facilities Department to proceed with the site selection work to identify potential sites for a new Mattapan Branch Library. Ms. Alice Hennessey asked about the status of the strategic study of the Boston Public Library branches which is being addressed by the Trustees Long Range Planning Committee. The President reported that the Boston Public Library Foundation has been asked to coordinate the strategic study including exploring funding sources to support its implementation. The President reported that Phase One construction is substantially completed on a variety of capital improvements to the Faneuil and Jamaica Plain Branches, which is funded in part from a $100,000 grant received from the Massachusetts Historic Commission. Meanwhile, Phase Two construction for both branches is slated to begin in the spring of 2005 which includes the general refurbishment of interior surfaces. President Margolis shared with the Committee members a list of the ongoing and completed Critical Repair Fund Projects for FY 2005 reflecting a total annual budget of $250,000 earmarked for smaller capital projects not exceeding $100,000. Included among the critical repair projects highlighted were roof and bathroom repairs, water damage repair work; handicap door access, replacement lighting and wiring, and environmental testing. Mr. Edward Maheigan, Budget and Procurement Manager, recalled that the Budget Office had allowed the Library to carryover $113,000 from the FY 2004 critical repair budget reflecting a total budget of $363,000 available for FY 2005. To date, critical repair capital projects totaling $226,000 have been committed to or are in process for FY 2005. In other business, President Margolis reported on the continuing discussions pertaining to the proposal for incorporating a Boston Public Library Branch in the Jeremiah E. Burke High School which is currently undergoing extensive renovations. To further those ends, representatives from the Library, Friends’ Group, Schools, Capital Construction, and the community have been meeting regularly to review the planning efforts toward bringing the combined Schools/Public Library initiative to fruition. Chairman Scaccia scheduled the next Trustees’ Capital Projects Committee meeting for Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. There being no further business, the meeting of the Trustees’ Capital Projects Committee adjourned at 11:35 a.m. followed by a tour of the McKim Restoration project, Phase IIC spaces led by President Margolis, including the restored original Trustees’ Room and the Abbey Room. Respectfully submitted,
Jamie McGlone
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