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Forbes Library Historic Restoration Project An 1 Forbes Library Historic Restoration Project ?? What efforts in addition to this application has the library made to secure funds for this project? The Committee would like to see information regarding grant applications, requests to the CIP, a capital campaign, and whatever other efforts the library has made to date. The Trustees of Forbes Library applied to the CIP for funding for this project as follows: 11/25/02 $250,000 for building repointing– approved and funded 9/3/04 $ 455,000 for building repointing – approved and funded 9/3/04 $250,000 for window replacement – deferred 8/5/05 $1,520,314 to finish Phase I and complete total building envelope repair and repointing—awarded $278,438 to finish phase II 8/5/05 $350,000 for window and door replacement – deferred 8/8/05 $296,653 for portico & roof repair – deferred 3/23/07 $746,469 for repair of exterior walls – approved, but not funded 3/23/07 $549,480 for window replacement & wall repair – deferred ?? Does the library have a Capital Improvements Plan so that it can budget for capital needs going forward? The Trustees of Forbes Library submit a Capital Improvements plan to the city each year. Due to the original funding grant covenant by Mr. Forbes, the City is responsible for the overall architectural appearance, physical improvements to the exterior and interior, and annual maintenance. The Trustees do not budget for capital needs improvements from operating funds. And, are there other projects that Forbes will need CPA funding for when this project has been completed? There should be no additional capital needs building related projects; however the Trustees of Forbes Library may at some time request funding for preservation of historic documents held by the library. ?? Does all of the work listed qualify for CPA historic restoration funds (burying electrical and gas lines)? Yes, conduits and such tacked to the outside of the building need to be removed to allow the wall repair to be done. Rather than put them back on the building, our concern is removing electrical and gas hazards for public safety. The original building appearance will be restored while keeping in line with historic preservation procedure to eliminate or hide the conduits so the building looks as it did in its original condition. ?? Can this project be completed in phases over a longer time period (3-5 years)? Yes, but it would be much more costly than doing the entire project at once and st much more disruptive to library services and patron safety. At the March 1 meeting, architect Ron Alex will discuss in detail the costs of phasing the project. 2 ?? Have you contacted the Northampton Energy Officer to discuss the replacement of the windows? No. How much in energy costs will the replacement of windows/doors save the City? It was estimated in an energy audit in 2005 that replacing the windows would pay for itself in less than 10 years. As energy costs have only increased since then, that number may be high. Energy savings is a very complicated issue and the architect does not have sufficient information to give a precise answer. Information needed to compute the formula would be actual window selection, R-values, insulation, oil cost per BTU, cost of windows and installation, and current energy expenditures and projected future costs of oil to estimate savings payback. The architect did say that in his experience all window project owners see a huge savings in energy costs after the window replacements. For instance, the Town of Westford Day School saw a 44% decrease in yearly oil usage in year one. Could those funds be better used to save energy by replacing severely deteriorated windows on another City building? Unknown. ?? Time sensitivity—Is this time sensitive in terms of City budget calendar (Capital Improvements Committee?) NO. ?? Has the restoration quote been reviewed by knowledgeable third party for “reasonableness”? Competitive bid on project? The restoration quote was formulated by LPBA Architects, who were hired, following a competitive bidding process restricted to experienced historic architects, to design the project. LPBA Architects cost estimates are based on real time or actual bidding numbers from competitive construction contractors from the first phase of construction in 2005 and in the second phase of 2006. The construction of Phase III will also go out to bid and the actual cost of the project will be known when the bids are returned. ?? There is extensive documentation on the value of the library to the community, its historic value, and its overall renovation needs. Please provide more information on what renovation is a higher priority in terms of the addressing structural integrity, health and safety concerns and the building’s long-term viability. It is essential that we continue in Phase III, to stabilize the foundation walls and prevent continuous erosion to the structural system. The building envelope must be made water tight to preserve the integrity of the building’s load bearing exterior walls. This project has been designed to achieve that goal. Repairing the walls, but allowing water to continue to pour in though holes in the upper roof and portico roof, allows water to continue to wash through cracks in the roof flashing openings, and wall mortar joints. Similarly, only repairing the roof would allow continued water penetration through the cracks in the wall mortar. These inadequate procedures would only delay the ultimate loss of the building’s structural integrity and create additional expenditure for interior room repairs.