Wednesday, December 13, 2006

*Architect Weekend a Success

Letter to the Editor / Mancos Times

Dear Editor,

The meetings with the library architects, Dennis Humphries and Matt Wilhelm were very successful in gathering input and ideas from the community for the new library building. The architects will take this information and create several conceptual design options that will be available for the community to see in January, 2007.

The Mancos Public Library would like to thank the following individuals andbusinesses for their help and support of the architect meetings. Dana Petersen created the flyer; Charlene Swansen accompanied the architects during the Friday meetings; Fahrenheit Coffeee Roasters donated coffee; P & D Grocery donated donuts; the Mancos Times provided excellent publicity; the Absolute Baker & Cafe provided breakfast goodies; and the Mancos Pizza Company provided pizza.

Thank you to the Mancos elementary shcool, middle school, and high school; and to the Mancos Valley Independent School for allowing us to meet with your students and teachers. We appreciate Nancy Strother, Kenny Smith, and members of the library board and staff for their special help make this a successful weekend.

We would also like to thank the students, senior citizens, community members, library staff, and library board for giving your time and input so that the architects have a real sense of who our community is and what our needs are for the new library. We would like to encourage everyone to continue to give us your ideas and we will pass them on to the architects.

Sincerely, Patsy Smith, Library Director

Mancos Library Director Gives Project Update

Mancos Public Library Director Patsy Smith recently gave an update for the planned new library facility. Below is a description of the project progress.

LEED Consultant hired: Ambient Energy, Inc., Renee Azerbegi, President, from Golden, Colorado was retained in November as LEED conslutant for the building project. Ambient Energy will provide the design and construction phases, and willo be responsible for submitting documentation to the US Gren Building Council for certification of the project.
Conceptual designs: Dennis Humphries and Matt Wilhelm are currently working on several conceptual designs for the new library. These preliminary designs will be completed by January 2007.

Grants: The Department of Local Affairs awarded the Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance grant in the amount of $350,000 for the building project. In addition, the grant committee is preparing applications to numerous priate foundation grants.

RFP for Construction Manager/General Contractor: A request for proposals for the construction manager/general contractor is being prepared and will be advertised next month. The CM/GC will work with the building team during the final design phase and the construction of the new library.