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Libraries' expansion, reopening delayed

Construction bids for the Land O'Lakes library and the Regency Park branch came in about $1-million over budget.

By JAMES THORNER
Published November 29, 2005

Four months after it closed for renovations, the Land O'Lakes library has yet to resound with the fury of jackhammers.

The situation's the same with the Regency Park branch in New Port Richey. It closed three months ago, but renovations haven't started there either.

Both libraries are due to expand from 10,000 square feet to 18,000 square feet. But the construction delays mean they won't reopen until early 2007, not 2006 as originally planned.

Pasco County library director Linda Allen blamed construction bids that came in about $1-million over budget, reflecting shortages of workers and material after the summer's hurricanes.

Bandes Construction Co. wants about $2-million to complete work on each library. Allen's department had budgeted $1.56-million for each project.

Allen found the extra money. It will come from library impact fees, one-time charges assessed each new house to pay for libraries construction.

But not before the projects were knocked off schedule several months. Instead of October, as originally planned, construction will start in January, Allen said. Unfortunately for library patrons, they vacated the Land O'Lakes and Regency Park branches months before they had to. Allen issues her regrets.

"We would have loved to have stayed in the buildings a bit longer if we had known," she said. "But hindsight is 20/20."

Regency found temporary quarters at the Shoppes at Golden Acres on 9820 Little Road. Land O'Lakes is squeezed into the adjacent recreational complex on Collier Parkway. The selection of books is minimal.

"We looked for months for something in the Land O'Lakes area," Allen said. "People complain about how small it is, and so do we."

The renovations will add new wings to the buildings. The bigger space provides for 17 more computers and 30 percent more books.

Furnishings will include comfortable armchairs of the sort found in bookstores, and you'll be able to bring in nonalcoholic beverages if the cup is covered.

Allen is eager for work crews to take charge, particularly in Land O'Lakes. Vandals have plagued the Collier Parkway property, installing skateboard jumps off the loading dock, spraying graffiti and breaking the book drop.

"They should start shortly after the first of the year," Allen said of the contractor. "It will take about 10 months and then it will take a couple more months to move the materials in."

[Last modified November 29, 2005, 02:15:28]