Library Board Approves Poettker Construction's bid to Refurbish Former 5/3 Bank for New Helen Matthes Library

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Published on October 28 2014 6:45 pm
Written by Wayne Moran

The Helen Matthes Library Board voted Tuesday evening to award the bid made by Poettker Construction, pending financing, to refurbish the former Fifth Third Bank Building for the new Helen Matthes Library.

Poettker Construction, based in Breese, IL, is the same company that won the contract for construction of the Richard E. Workman Sports and Wellness Complex. The new library will boast 27,000 square feet with two stories and a basement.

Said Library Director Amanda McKay of Poettker's bid, "We had eight bids opened on October 24 and all were fairly tight. The lowest was Poettker Construction's base bid at $2,763,000 and the board voted to proceed with three additional alternates making a bid total of $2,796,000, which comes in a little under our goal of around $3 million".

The 3 alternates approved by the board total $33,000, covering outdoor maintenance work, including cleaning of the exterior masonry of the building, replacing exterior lights and fencing and general landscaping.

Board Presidents Racheal Fearday and Sue Ellen Reimers expressed their feelings on the bid saying, "This project has been years in the planning and lots of people have been involved in this process. The board and staff are very excited to be moving forward with the project and look forward to construction starting in December."

The Library says it's continuing its fundraising efforts and they're hopeful of receiving pledges for the full amount by the end of 2014. More information about the project and how to make a donation can he found here, or by contacting Library Director Amanda McKay at 217-342-2464.