An update on the expansion project at Newcastle Public Library was given to City Council members at their January meeting.
Pioneer Library System Executive Director Lisa Wells was in attendance to introduce Kristi Vercruysse, a senior architect with MSR Design, who joined the meeting via Zoom. Wells said Vercruysse has been working with the PLS Board on the design and work that is being proposed.
Vercruysse said the timeline for the Newcastle Library project is to go out to bid in either March or April, and then construction could start soon after that in either April or May. The expansion is projected to be finished in April or May of 2027. Vercruysse said this is pretty quick for a construction project.
In the update, Vercruysse said the Newcastle Library is undersized and has the highest visits per capita of all facilities in the Pioneer Library System. She said there is no collaborative space, no Maker Lab, and little parking.
While much of the earlier announced designs remain, the proposal has been adjusted. Vercruysse said the expansion includes a youth collection area with enhanced youth learning area, a teen collection area, a flexible focus area, a Market Place, an Americans with Disabilities Act family restroom, public computers, a business center, and an outdoor program space with shade structure. This includes a perforated metal wall screening on the parking lot side.
There will be two five-person meeting rooms, an adult collection area with study tables, and a Maker Lab. The Maker Lab will have all the amenities plus more, she said. This includes an embroidery machine, a 3D printer, laser printers, and sublimation printers.
The building’s exterior finishes will match the existing brick. A provided architectural rendering shows a more modern look with significant height and single sloped roof, featuring windows, and installed shades inside the building.
The design includes moving the facility’s transformer and condensors to the back of the building.
An interior color palette is taken from various features around Newcastle including the boundary and curving of the South Canadian River, the veining of streams and dense trees in the area, the patchwork of farming and red earth development, and the community growth.
Vercruysse said this translates into hues of greens and the color of the area’s clay, as well as the sloped roofs of the Newcastle area housing developments.
In discussion about the facility, City Manager asked if the library will continue to allow use by Epic Charter Schools. Wells said they will and that Epic is using space at all of the PLS libraries.
In other business at the Council meeting:
• The Council approved a 2.6% cost-of-living raise for all employees excluding the police and fire departments and the City Manager. The raises will cost the City $47,248.04 in their annual budget.
Self said by approving the raise, the City is showing that it continues to look for an edge in attracting and retaining employees.
According to the City Manager citing the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the cost of living has increased just over 2.6%. Self said it appears the City has turned the corner on its sales and use tax returns for the year.
December sales and use tax came in 2.1% higher than the same time the previous year, according to Treasurer Jeanie Skeen.
The City had been down in recent month’s tax collections when compared to previous years.
• architectural rendering by MSR Design A Children’s area rendering shows a collection area, a learning area, and an activities area.
