The Naperville Public Library is hiring a construction manager to oversee renovation work planned this fall at the Nichols Library.
As part of a $1.5 million, five-year plan to improve the workspace behind the scenes, this year’s project will tackle the administrative offices, staff lounge and customer service offices at the downtown library.
Library Executive Director Dave Della Terza told the library board this week a construction manager would help budget and plan costs, supervise the day-to-day work and coordinate with the vendors to complete the project.
The construction manager also would oversee the work during the project and in the warranty period of two years after the work is completed on behalf of the library.
Because it has used a construction manager for previous renovation projects and found great value in the services, the library sought proposals for construction management services in April and staff narrowed the applicant list.
Della Terza said the top three candidates were interviewed and an evaluation team rated the presentations before the project costs were opened.
Of the three, SMC Construction Services of Elgin stood out for its attention to detail, similar work at other libraries, cost control measures and ability to work with current supply chain delays, Della Terza said.
Among the suburban libraries that have used SMC are St. Charles, Morton Grove, Skokie, Forest Park, Downers Grove, Glen Ellyn, Warrenville, Itasca, Arlington Heights, Barrington and Gail Borden in Elgin.
A spreadsheet provided by Della Terza shows SMC’s preconstruction services would run $5,000 with a percentage fee estimate of $16,625 plus a monthly service of $12,300.
The total cost for construction services, he said, will depend on the final renovation project costs and how long the work takes.
In February, Andy Dogan of Williams Architects estimated the cost for the Nichols Library staff space upgrades at $320,750.
With a construction manager hired, the library would award the construction contract at either the August or September board meeting so construction can begin a month later.
Work would be completed by December.
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Della Terza said if the library is happy with SMC’s work, the board has the option to renew the contract for the remainder of the scheduled staff renovation projects.
The next phase of the work slated for 2023 would be improvements to the main floor staff area at the Naper Boulevard branch followed in 2024 by upgrades to the adult services staff area on the upper level of the Nichols Library.
In 2025, construction would commence on the lower level staff lounge and work areas at the Naper Boulevard branch as well as the collections and customer service areas on the main floor.
Improvements in 2026 would be made to the work areas for collection services and children’s services on the lower level of Nichols Library.