Willowbranch Branch Library Updates

Work continues inside …

We are pleased to report that only one task remains to complete the extensive and complex water intrusion project at Willowbranch Branch Library. While this fantastic news adds much hope for a November reopening, significant work remains to be done inside the building.

What has been accomplished?

On Sept. 4, the construction team, comprised of Steve Lazar of VRL Architects, Inc., Keith Timmons of KBT Construction, City Public Works department representatives, and staff of the Jacksonville Public Library, conducted an onsite walk-through and agreed the punch list had been satisfactorily completed with the exception of one item. KBT Construction now has up to 30 days to complete the final item and close out the permit.

What remains to be done?

The team is working on the following tasks inside the building:

• Adjustments and work related to ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) laws
• Renovation of the service desk on the 1^st floor
• Moving furniture and materials in order to restore the meeting rooms and return the Children’s Room to its permanent location on the ground floor
• Extensive collection review to identify damage from humidity and water intrusion
• Adding nearly 5,000 materials to the collection, including a combination of new items and those returned from safe keeping at another library
• Carpeting in several areas
• Painting and other maintenance work

We know the community is anxiously awaiting the reopening, and we will continue to work diligently to make that happen. Please keep posted for additional updates.

Take a look at the work underway at the Willowbranch Branch Library!

KBT Construction has been working hard to have all the wall prefabrication around the downstairs windows finished by Aug. 14.  The fiberglass reinforced panels that will be used to patch the ones that were removed will be delivered this weekend. The crew will work on Saturday to install them in order to have this area substantially completed by Aug. 21.  At that time, City of Jacksonville Public Works will review the progress.

Watch this blog for an update from Public Works following their review.

Here is the work in progress at Willowbranch:

1. The new gutters and downspouts have been installed around the newer portion of the building.
2. Excavation has occurred under the original steps to install waterproofing that was previously lacking.
3. The bars and basement windows have been removed and taken off
   site for cleaning and repainting.

Vandals recently defaced the Willowbranch Branch Library with spray paint. We have reported the crime to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and additionally are making a claim to the City’s Risk Management to help in addressing the cost of repairs.  The spray paint is mostly on the original building. We have obtained a quote to paint the areas with the appropriate coating required for the building.  We hope to have the work done as soon as possible. In the meantime, the video cameras on the building are being monitored. Please contact the Jacksonville Public Library or the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office if you have any information regarding this crime.

Repairs at the Willowbranch Branch Library will move forward this week, ending a delay caused by the discovery of lead paint on the windows. With an approved change order now in place to remove the lead and complete the project, General Contractor-KBT Construction is back to work. If the remaining repairs progress as planned, library officials hope to reopen the library in early fall.

We will continue to provide updates on this blog as new information becomes available. Thank you for your patience throughout the process.

Here are the remaining repairs planned at Willowbranch:

• Complete roof with Facia/Flashing modifications
• Extend drainage through sidewalk
• Gutters
• Remove lower windows and install sills
• Install refurbished grates and windows
• Complete wall systems
• Install flooring in areas designated in contract
• Refurbish main floor windows in place

Summer Break + Summer Learning = Summer Fun for All Ages

For kids and adults of all ages gearing up for summer fun, don’t miss Summer Learning at Jacksonville Public Library. The activities scheduled for Willowbranch Branch Library have been moved to the Murray Hill Branch Library.

Bill Joyce, Chief of Public Works for the City of Jacksonville, says the Willowbranch Library Change Order passed the City’s General Governmental Awards Committee (GGAC) review May 21. This means the City’s Public Works Department can now push to have the Change Order executed; after that, the work will begin as quickly as possible.

According to Luis Flores, City of Jacksonville Public Buildings Division Chief, the lead abatement testing for all windows has been completed and a change order for the remaining work was finalized. A change order request is scheduled to be submitted to the City General Government Awards Committee for recommendation and subsequent review and approval by the mayor’s office.

The City of Jacksonville Public Works Department held a meeting April 14 to review the cost proposal submitted by contractor KBT Construction.

Attending were: Bill Joyce (Public Works Chief); Luis Flores (Public Buildings Chief); Torrance Cox (Public Works Project Manager); Steve Lazar (Architect of Record); Aubrey Winship (JPL Facilities Manager); and Angel Corrales (Willowbranch Friends Vice-President).

Corrales expressed concerns regarding the upstairs window sills; Architect Steve Lazar said he would look into the possibility of grinding in place rather than removing. In the meantime, Lazar and Public Works are reviewing options related to the proposal that the downstairs windows will be removed or refinished in-place.

All of the details for the remaining work must be reviewed to confirm they are addressed properly in the submittal before the work can be authorized. The estimated construction time once the work resumes will be ten weeks. Once the contracted work is completed, and mold and air quality testing is complete it will take an additional two months to prepare the interior of the building to open for operations.

Corrales expressed concerns over the state of the books but was reassured when he was informed the air conditioning has been kept on throughout the project, keeping the books in good condition.