Library on schedule, to complete in spring
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic causing disruptions, the new Hancock County Public Library Branch in Lewisport remains on schedule, with a completion date around mid-spring of this year.
“Everything is moving forward at a good pace,” Hancock County Public Library Director Tina Snyder said. “I am pleased things are going so well.”
Project foreman Matthew Basham of Jacob’s Group agrees with Snyder. Though COVID caused some disruptions to the work schedule, and also delayed shipment of some materials, the project remains on schedule. Basham said the schedule remains tight, but expects to finish on time.
“With COVID going on it is a little hectic,” Basham said. “I think we will have it done, but it is going to be really close.”
On Tuesday morning, crews performed a variety of work both inside and outside of the building. A couple of crews worked to install drywall on rooms in the new library, another worker mudded the drywall and another worker used calk to close up cracks in seams where needed. Also, crews worked on the outside of the building attaching sheet to the entrance area.
“We are doing the Hardy Plank out here,” Basham said. “We got the drywall in progress and some of the overhead H/VAC as well as the electricals. We are doing some of the site work too.”
The hardy plank on the outside is the finished wall material. When crews finish installing it, the next step is to paint the material. Crews also plan to use brick as decoration in several areas on the outside of the building.
“It will actually have some stone from the old school on it, “Basham said. “It will look real nice.”
Snyder said on Friday she and branch manager Kelly Richardson toured the inside of the facility, and with crews installing drywall it became easier for them to visualize the interior space of the building. Snyder said being able to visualize the looks of the interior makes it easier for them to plan how to use the space.
“It makes us more excited for its completion,” Snyder said. “It is hard to visualize the space with just an empty shell.”
Snyder said the new library building contains 8,450 feet of space to serve library patrons. She said the staff looks forward to its completion this spring.
By Ralph Dickerson
