| .
|
.The
LaGrange County Public Library's building project to date:
1995
| 2/6/95 |
Contacted architectural firms to address
the following:
Building expansion
ADA compliance
Automation of library system
|
| 5/15/95 |
Bill Koster from Koster & Associates
talked with us about redesigning and remodeling the library. |
| 7/17/95 |
Ron Menze and George Morrison from Morrison
Kattman Menze, Inc. gave a presentation on a possible feasibility study
for the library. |
| 9/18/95 |
Maria Staiano and David Dixon from The
Cooler Group Inc. offered options on how the library could become fully
accessible. |
| 11/20/95 |
Board members visited the Bremen, Gas
City, and Eckhart libraries to view the work of the three architectural
firms and ask questions. |
1996
| 1/15/96 |
Board members decided that The
Cooler Group should proceed with the feasibility
study. |
| 1/?/96 |
Mary Ball contacted Phil Malone to let
him know that the library was interested in the county jail. |
| 6/3/96 |
Betty North and Mary Ball talked to the
town council about the possibility of closing the alley between the library
and the fire department. It was decided that the expense of relocating
the utilities was too great. |
| 6/17/96 |
Mark Diehm from Soil and Water Conservation
contacted Mary Ball about the possibility of housing the bookmobile in
a pole building that they were planning to construct on Paul Gilman's tree
farm. |
| 10/28/96 |
Appreciation Day at Dr. Chris Deisler's
office raised $622.00 for the library's building project. |
| 10/29/96 |
Public meeting regarding the building
project. |
| 11/25/96 |
Cooler Group
estimate for remodeling the library:
| $ 145,000.00 |
Architectural engineering and interior
design services |
| $ 18,000.00 |
Development of furnishings and accessories |
| $2,000,000.00 |
Construction costs |
|
1997
| 1/20/97 |
The board discussed the possibility of
buying land within the city limits. |
| 3/17/97 |
Board discussion of buildings by Morton
and consideration of moving the library out near Lakeland High School. |
| 5/15/97 |
Frances Prough and Mary Ball attended
a library construction workshop at Huntington, Indiana. |
| 5/19/97 |
Jerry Grogg talked to the board about
land for sale at the Farm Bureau, on the southeast side of LaGrange. Harriet
Warren stated that the Methodist Church said that if we were interested
in the church's lot one block south of the library, we could make an offer. |
| 10/20/97 |
The board discussed that a decision had
to be made in the near future, either to stay at the present location or
build a new library. |
| 12/9/97 |
Betty North, Loma Hoffman, Mary Ball,
Sue Glick, Bob Yoder, Sandy Yoder, and Rex Fisher met to discuss the possibility
of building on land that would be donated to the library and to the LaGrange
County Historical Society. |
| 12/15/97 |
The board discussed the advantages and
disadvantages of moving the library to the west edge of town, on US 20. |
1998
| 3/16/98 |
The library board discussed having a workshop
meeting to go over the Cooler Group plans. |
| 5/18/98 |
The library board workshop will be held
June 8, 1998 at 3 p.m. |
| 6/8/98 |
The board decided to ask Rex Fisher to
come to the regular board meeting and answer questions about the possibility
of building a new library on his land. Loma Hoffman, Tom Dunbar,
Marilyn Lewis, Francis Prough, Chuck Christner, and Harriet Warren visited
the site. |
| 6/15/98 |
Rex Fisher addressed the board with his
thoughts about building a new library on land that he owns and is offering
to deed to the LaGrange County Library. He talked about the fact
that there are presently no water or sewer lines there, and that a deceleration
lane would be needed on both sides of US 20. He suggested that a
site committee be formed to check into other building sites and offered
to speak to Major Tom Merritt from Howe, to see if he might be interested
in serving on the committee. The board agreed to this plan. |
| 7/13/98 |
The library board asked Mary Ball and
Loma Hoffman to set up guidelines for a site
committee. |
| 8/17/98 |
Several library patrons will be asked
to be on the site committee along with board members Loma Hoffman and Chuck
Christner. |
| 9/14/98 |
First site committee meeting. Those
present: Loma Hoffman, Chuck Christner, Mary Ball, Merrily Hamp,
Joy Sharp, and John Leu. The committee looked over the map of LaGrange
and discussed possible sites. |
| 10/19/98 |
Second site committee meeting. Those
present: Loma Hoffman, Chuck Christner, Mary Ball, Mary Petersen,
John Leu, and DeWayne Nodine (County Planner). The committee discussed
possible locations for a new library. Loma suggested that the town
council, county commissioners, county sheriff, city council, town chief
of police, fire chief, county planner, and newly elected officials be invited
to the next site committee meeting. Letters would be sent out after
the fall elections, with RSVP's requested. John Leu will conduct
the meeting. |
| 11/16/98 |
Third site committee meeting. Those
present: Joy Sharp, John Leu, Mary Petersen, Chuck Christner, Loma
Hoffman, Mary Ball, Jayne Merriman, Bernard Hoffman, Harold Gingerich,
Mike Strawser, and Bob Schlemmer. Discussion concerned the building
of the new jail, the reconstruction of the sewer in LaGrange, the lack
of parking around the library and other government buildings, and the possibility
of either extending the library back to the fire station or removing the
present jail and building there. |
1999
| 1/18/99 |
Fourth site committee meeting. Those
present: Merrily Hamp, Mary Petersen, Loma Hoffman, Chuck Christner,
and Mary Ball. John Leu and Joy Sharp were unable to attend.
Members present reviewed all possible sites around the town of LaGrange.
The consensus was to recommend the following at the next library board
meeting:
-
Accept Rex Fisher's generous offer of land
located at the west edge of LaGrange, on the south side of US 20.
-
Talk to Senators Meeks and Sturtz about "Build
America Funds," which might help finance the building project.
|
| 2/16/99 |
Library board meeting. Loma Hoffman
delivered the site committee's findings. John Leu provided a large
map of LaGrange, showing all available land. The site committee had
investigated all areas and found none that were centrally located.
The site committee recommended that Rex Fisher's gift of land be accepted. |
| 5/17/99 |
Library board meeting. Rex Fisher
presented to the board his gift of 3.5 acres of land for a library building
site. The board agreed to accept this gift with the understanding
that soil testing would be done and a legal contract would be made that
would be acceptable to both parties. |
| 5/26/99 |
Mary Ball met with Robbie Miller (Assistant
Zoning Administrator) and was told that the land was in a B-1 zone and
would need a land use variance. |
| 6/2/99 |
Mary Ball and Rex Fisher met with Sue
Glick to discuss the legal contract between Rex and the library board.
Rex presented his stipulations for the gift and Sue said there would be
no problem with them; however, the land would have to be surveyed and sub-divided
before an agreement could be signed. Mary contacted Steve Ross to
do the soil testing on or before June 21, 1999, and Ed Doyle to survey
the land after the soil testing is done. |
| 6/9/99 |
Mary Ball and Rex Fisher met at the proposed
building site to discuss with Bill Ponko from the Troyer Group the best
possible location for the building. Bill recommended that the surveyor
draw a topographical map along with the survey, after the soil testing
is done. |
| 9/14/99 |
The site plan and land use variance application
were filed at the Plan Commission office. |
| 10/6/99 |
Loma Hoffman and Mary Ball filed an affidavit
of Notice of Public Hearing to Adjacent Property Owners at the Plan Commission
office. |
| 10/25/99 |
The Board on Zoning Appeals approved the
land use variance. |
2000
| 1/17/00 |
The library board received the survey
of the proposed building site from Ed Doyle. Jerry Grogg expressed
to the board his concerns about building the library off US20 (accessibility
for patrons who walk or bike to the library, children in particular). |
| 2/15/00 |
Received a letter
from David Dixon, an architect with Schmidt Associates (formerly with The
Cooler Group, Inc.) expressing his opinion that a new building is the
library's best option. |
| 2/22/00 |
The library board received petitions against
building the library off US 20 and listened to suggestions of other possible
library sites. They also heard citizens' concerns about the lack
of parking, limited handicapped accessibility, and security issues that
beset the present library building. |
| 3/20/00 |
An executive meeting was held at 4 p.m.
to discuss possible members for the new library site committee. Tom
announced the names of the Library Building Site Committee 2000, the two
board members being Loma Hoffman and Harriet Warren. Other members:
John Leu, Jody Holsinger, Joe Billman, Jim Fisel, Merrily Hamp, Mary Catherine
Petersen, and Robert Gunzenhauser. |
| 5/15/00 |
Rex Fisher spoke to the board about the
future site of a new library. He feels that his land on US 20 is
still the most appropriate. Bud Foltz, Jr. asked whether any decision
has been made regarding the old jail site; if it were going to be made
available. Mary Ball stated that, as far as she knew at that time,
no decision had been made. She also stated that the Site Committee
was still investigating all possible sites and would be making a report
to the board at the next board meeting. |
| 6/12/00 |
Rex Fisher spoke to the board about the
site of a new library. He feels that his land on US 20 is still the
most appropriate. It was explained to him that the Site Committee
had not yet made their recommendations. They had more investigation
to do on the three proposed sites: Rex Fisher's land, Ray Culp's
land, and the Fire Station. |
| 7/13/00 |
Harriet Warren reported the findings of
the Library Building Site Committee 2000. She reviewed the guidelines that
were followed in judging the three sites. She stated the pros and
cons of each site, as known at the time. She explained that the committee
was evenly split in their choice of sites, and could not make a positive
recommendation for any one site. (The Site Committee records
are on file at the LaGrange County Library and the public may view them
upon request.) Discussion followed the report. Marilyn
Lewis made a motion that a decision be postponed until the price and affordability
of each site could be determined. There was no second to this motion.
Betty North then made a motion that Mary (Ball) Hooley should talk to several
architects to get some idea of the cost per square foot of building either
up or out, so that a site decision could be made at the next board meeting.
Harriet seconded the motion. The motion carried. |
| 8/21/00 |
The library board received information
from four different architectural firms, stating the advantages and disadvantages
of each of the three possible building sites. Questions were raised
about soil testing, fire protection, and acceptability of water and sewer
lines for a public building at the Culp site. A motion to accept
the land gift from Ray Culp died for lack of a second. No further
action was taken. |
| 9/15/00 |
The LaGrange County Commissioners, Town
Board of LaGrange, and LaGrange County Library Board met to discuss plans
for the county library. |
| 9/18/00 |
Library Board meeting. Marilyn Lewis
made a motion to gratefully decline Rex Fisher's gift of land and accept
Ray Culp's gift of four acres on CR 50N for the new library site.
Betty North seconded the motion. Motion carried 5 to 2. |
| 10/27/00 |
Mary, Loma, Marilyn, Frances, Harriet,
and Deb visited the Noble County Library (Albion), the Peabody Library
(Columbia City), and the North Manchester Library (North Manchester).
Information on architects and building designs was discussed throughout
the day. |
| 11/13/00 |
The library board interviewed architects:
-
Schenkel Shultz
-
Martin Riley Mock.
|
| 11/30/00 |
The library board interviewed architects:
-
Morrison Kattman Menze, Inc.
-
The Troyer Group
-
Moake Park Group
|
2001
| 1/4/01 |
Rick Stump from Schenkel/Schultz presented
to the Board and public a one-floor outline for a new library on both the
Culp and Fisher sites. |
| 1/9/01 |
SoilTesting, Inc. from Fort Wayne, IN
did three soil borings on the Culp property. |
| 1/15/01 |
The Library Board narrowed their selection
of architect firms down to Morrison Kattman Menze, Inc. and Moake Park
Group from Fort Wayne, IN. |
| 1/16/01 |
Library Board workshop on evaluation and
selection of an architect. |
| 3/19/01 |
George
Morrison from Morrison Kattman
Menze Inc. was hired as the architect for the building project.
Mary Miller, children's director, discussed
the
limitations of the present library facilities and how a new building would
promote services and selection of materials. Amanda Wisler, technology
coordinator, presented information on planning
the library's technology for the future and steps
that will be taken to automate the library, branches, and bookmobile. |
| 4/16/01 |
Todd Samuelson from H.J.
Umbaugh and Associates was hired by the library board as the financial
advisor for the building project. A letter was received from Edward
J. Pilarski of the Wastewater Treatment Plant of LaGrange stating that
the request for sanitary sewer service to the library building site on
50N has been approved. |
| 5/21/01 |
The library board decided to contract
Soil Exploration Services from Fort Wayne, Indiana to do a Phase 1 Environmental
Assessment on the library building site property on CR 50N. |
| 6/18/01 |
Phase 1 Environmental Assessment completed. |
| 7/19/01 |
The library board contacted Soil Exploration
Services to do a Phase II Environmental Assessment. |
| 8/20/01 |
Soil Exploration Services completed Phase
II Environmental Site Assessment. [All reports are at the main circulation
desk for public viewing.] |
| 10/15/01 |
Rex Fisher offered an additional 0.2 acres
of his land off SR 20, making a total of 4 acres offered. |
| 10/29/01 |
Library Board Workshop to review all
land sites considered for new library. |
| 11/19/01 |
Board president Harriet Warren reviewed
all possible building sites, including:
-
Land owned by Bob Lambright on the west side
of Townline Road behind CVS and south of the golf course
-
A site owned by Betty Beiser on the east end
of Michigan Street.
The board learned of two new developments
concerning the Culp Site:
-
Ray Culp has offered to pay $10,000 toward
the cleanup of debris on the site.
-
An anonymous donor has offered to buy Lot
19, which adjoins the Culp site to the north, and donate the land to the
library.
|
| 12/17/01 |
The board voted to commit to the Culp
site. |
2002
2/11/02-
2/12/02-
2/13/02 |
Public charrettes
were held for the library building project. The public, staff, and
board were invited to offer suggestions. Architects from the firm
of Morrison, Kattman Menze Inc. guided the discussion and created floor
plans and models based upon the input received. |
| 2/21/02 |
Morrison Kattman Menze delivered a report
of charette attendees and input. |
| 4/29/02 |
Building Planning Committee Meeting -
Minutes. |
| 5/20/02 |
The library board authorized preliminary
determination to issue bonds. Public hearing set for June 17, 2002
at 4:00 p.m. in the community room of the library. |
| 6/17/02 |
Public Hearing. |
| 7/15/02 |
The Library Board determined to issue
bonds in the maximum of $5,700,000 for the purpose of building a new library. |
| 8/14/02 |
A remonstrance against the library building
project was filed at the County Office Building. |
| 8/26/02 |
The remonstrance was certified by the
County Auditor. |
| 9/5/02 |
An objection
petition against the 2003 library budget was sent to the Library Board,
the County Auditor, the County Council, and the County Commisioners. |
| 9/16/02 |
A response
to the objection petition was given by the Library Board. |
10/9/02-
11/8/02 |
Petitions for and against the
library building project were circulated. |
| 12/3/02 |
The petitions were certified by the county
auditor. The remonstrance petition prevailed. |
| 12/16/02 |
The board received letters from representatives
of the LaGrange Town Board and the
LaGrange
County Chamber of Commerce. Harriet Warren announced the board's
intention to hold continuing dialog with the people of LaGrange County. |
2003
| 1/20/03 |
Harriet asked Debbie Gould, Steve McKowen,
and Deb Shirar to meet with the Town of LaGrange and Ann Patka and Frances
Prough to meet with the Chamber of Commerce to discuss possible solutions
to the library's building project. Each will report back to the library
board. |
| 2/18/03 |
Voice of Choice requested a meeting with
the library board. Harriet, Deb, and Steve will meet with them on
February 25, 2003. |
| 3/17/03 |
Harriet Warren reported on the meeting
with Voice of Choice. [See report.] |
| 3/31/03 |
A special public board meeting was held
to express interest in properties that the town of LaGrange could possibly
offer to the library. |
| 4/15/03 |
Harriet Warren sent a letter
of intent to the Town of LaGrange. |
| 5/6/03 |
The Town of LaGrange sent a letter
of reply. |
| 6/16/03 |
Pre-need
assessment completed by library board. |
| 6/24/03 |
Letters
were sent to seven possible facilitators, asking whether they would be
interested in doing a countywide needs assessment for the library board. |
| 8/24/03 |
By
this date, the library board had received letters from all seven possible
facilitators, stating that they would not be able to do a countywide needs
assessment and stating the reasons why. All correspondence is archived
with the library board minutes for public viewing. |
| 10/7/03 |
A public brainstorming meeting was held
at 7 p.m. in the Community Room of the main library. [See
report.] |
| 11/17/03 |
The library board hired Criterium
Van Marter Engineers of Indianapolis to perform a building evaluation
and capital fund study. |
2004
| 3/26/04 |
At a 6:00 p.m. board meeting, Robb Van
Marter of Criterium Van Marter Engineers presented the results of the building
evaluation and capital fund study, which they recently completed. Click
here to read the study results. [Requires
Adobe
Reader.] |
| 5/17/04 |
The library board hired a facilitator,
Kevin Deary from the Indiana Youth
Institute, to develop a road map for library development, conduct personal
interviews with LaGrange County citizens, and present this information
to the board. |
| 11/9/04 |
Kevin Deary completed his report. |
| 12/7/04 |
The first task force meeting was held
at the library with Kevin Deary. |
2005
| 1/11/05 |
The LaGrange Library Task Force met and
set a timeline. |
| 5/10/05 |
The task force mailed a survey to all
residents of LaGrange County. |
| 8/15/05 |
The task force delivered its report
and recommendations to the library borad of trustees. |
| 9/19/05 |
Debra Close, the Chief Operating Officer
of the Parkview/LaGrange Hospital, and Ann Kadish spoke at the public library
board meeting concerning future plans of building a new hospital.
Debra stated that it would be at least 36 months after ground breaking
took place. At present, a site has not been decided upon. No
plans have been made for the 13 acres of land and the present building.
It will take 3 to 5 years before the new hospital would be operational.
The library board confirmed this period of time was too long for the library
to wait to begin a project. Appreciation was expressed by the board
for Parkview attending the meeting and informing them of their plans. |
| 8/15/05 |
The library board selected Mr.
Bob Murphy of R.P. Murphy and Associates as the grant writer for the community
focus fund grant. |
| 12/19/05 |
The library board received a letter
from Parkview LaGrange Hospital. At this time, the hospital is
not ready to make a decision regarding sale of the hospital building and/or
grounds. |
2006
| 1/26/06 |
Request for
qualification to architects for planning grant. |
| 2/21/06 |
Real
Estate Purchase Agreement with Town of LaGrange was discussed and approved
by the library board. |
| 3/20/06 |
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
completed. See attached letter.
A complete copy of this study is available at the LaGrange County Public
Library.
Timeline for the Planning Grant and List
of Architectural Firms that submitted requests for qualifications: See
attached.
-
Holzheimer Bolek
Architects, LLC, Chagrin Falls, OH
-
Morrison
Kattman Menze, Inc., Fort Wayne
-
MSKTD &
Associates Inc., Fort Wayne
-
Martin
Riley Mock, Fort Wayne
-
The Moake
Park Group, Fort Wayne
-
Vintage
Archonics, Fort Wayne
-
Kelty
Tappy Design, Inc., Fort Wayne
-
Veazey Parrott
Durkin & Shoulders, Indianapolis
-
Grinsfelder
Associates Architects, Fort Wayne
-
Van
Dyke Architects LLC, Cleveland, OH
All requests for qualifications from these
architectural firms are available at the LaGrange County Public Library. |
| 3/30/06 |
The library board agreed to schedule interviews
with the following firms for April 13, 2006 at 5:00 p.m.:
|
| 4/13/06 |
The four architectural firms were given
fifteen minutes to present their qualifications and how they would proceed
with the library project, followed by another fifteen minutes of questions
and comments by both the library board and the public. Each firm
presented practical information on how to engage the county to become involved
in the library project. Ideals of interaction, agreement, consensus,
county meetings, charrettes, study of options, grants, and public participation
were covered throughout the firms' presentations.
After discussing the strengths and weaknesses
of each firm, the board asked Bob Murphy to begin
the negotiation contract with Kelty
Tappy Design, Inc. from Fort Wayne, Indiana. |
| 6/19/06 |
Public hearing at the LaGrange County
building. At that time, the County Commissioners signed papers so
that the County could apply for a Planning Grant on behalf of the library. |
| 10/16/06 |
Mary received notice from Bob Murphy that
the planning grant had been awarded to the library. |
| 10/24/06 |
The Feasibility Study's "Grand Opening"
at the library annex. Kelty Tappy Design, Inc. discusses in moderate
detail the scope and purpose of the study, its dynamics, the involvement
of the public, and the desired nature of the outcome. |
| 11/2/06 |
Urban Design Public Charette at Library
Annex. |
| 11/9/06 |
Building Design Public Charrette at Library
Annex. |
| 11/16/06 |
Building Infrastructure Public Charrette
at Library annex. |
| 12/18/06 |
Public hearing with the LaGrange County
Commissioners concerning a grant from the Community Focus Fund of the Small
Cities Community Development Block Grant program. |
| 12/21/06 |
Final
draft of the LaGrange County Public Library feasibility study presented
by Kelty Tappy Design, Inc. [Requires Adobe
Reader.] |
2008
| 3/19/08 |
Board hired H.J.
Umbaugh & Associates for their financial advisor. |
| 3/24/08 |
The deed
for property from the Town of Topeka was filed at the LaGrange County
Building. [Requires Adobe
Reader.] |
| 4/16/08 |
Library board agreed to publish in the
LaGrange
Standard and News advertisement for bids.
[Requires
Adobe
Reader.] |
| 5/19/08 |
Bids were opened by the Library Board
during a special session at the Topeka Town Hall. the Base Bid amounts
ranged from a high of $1,420,000 to a low of $1,030,890 with the three
lowest Base Bid amounts within $14,000 (1.5%) of each other.
From lowest to highest, Base Bid amounts
are:
| Landmark Builders (Shipshewana) |
$1,030,890 |
| Schenkel
& Sons, Inc. (Fort Wayne) |
$1,040,000 |
| DietzenBrugger (LaGrange) |
$1,044,985 |
| Michael
Kinder & Sons (Fort Wayne) |
$1,103,500 |
| Schrock
Commercial (Goshen) |
$1,109,000 |
| Milestone
Construction (Syracuse) |
$1,125,000 |
| Ancon
Construction (Goshen) |
$1,129,000 |
| Hamilton Hunter Builders (Fort Wayne) |
$1,221,200 |
| Brown & Brown (Elkhart) |
$1,242,200 |
| Casteel
Corporation (South Bend) |
$1,420,000 |
|
| 5/21/08 |
Kelty Tappy
Design recommendation. Library Board asked Kelty
Tappy Design, Inc. to research references and related projects with
Landmark Builders. |
| 5/31/08 |
A ground breaking ceremony was held at
the Topeka Branch building site. It was followed by a fundraiser
at which $15,631.00 was raised. Click
here to see photos. |
| 8/6/2008 |
Contract was awarded to Landmark Builders
to construct the Topeka Branch Library. |
| 8/18/2008 |
Construction
begins at the Topeka site. |
| 9/23/2008 |
The
library began accepting bids for:
-
Exterior Signage
-
Furniture
-
Security
-
Technology / Data / Voice
|
| 10/15/2008 |
Library board approves lowest bids: Click
here to view bids. |
| 12/15/2008 |
Landmark Builders delivered a revised
construction schedule. |
2010
| 2/26/2010 |
Opening of the bids. Click
here to view the bid tabulation form. |
| 3/17/2010 |
The library board hired Shawnee
Construction of Ft. Wayne with all 10 alternates for $4,557,770 as
the General Contractor. |
| 4/5/2010 |
Library opened at temporary location:
1200 N. Detroit St.
Construction began at main site. |
| 9/16/2010 |
Library Board was issued $705,000 bond,
Series A for the purpose of paying the remaining costs of acquiring property,
constructing, extending, altering, improving, remodeling, and equipping
the addition to and renovations of the main branch of the LaGrange County
Public Library and to pay costs of issuance.
The Library was issued the Series B Bonds
[$810,000.00] to refund the outstanding Bond Anticipation Notes of 2009
(the "BANs") dated August 7, 2009, and to pay all associated interest expense,
and cost of issuance for the Topeka Branch Library. |
2011
| 2/3/2011 |
The Library Board accepted
the following bids:
Board rejected bids on:
|
| 4/12/2011 |
The Library Board accepted the following
bids:
|

|