Russell Library / City Hall Feasibility Study Committee

Russell Library/City Hall Feasibility Study Committee Tuesday, September 24, 2024, 5:00pm Committee Members Present: Anthony Mangiafico, Chair; Sheila Jones; Eamonn Wisneski Also present: Ramona Burkey, Russell Library Director; Benjamin Florsheim, Mayor; Jade Esplin, Margaret Sullivan Studio; Chris Nardi, Silver Petrucelli + Associates Architects; John DiFilippo Absent: Steve Nelson, Joe Samolis, Sandra Russo-Driska 1. Call to Order: Chairman Mangiafico commenced the meeting at 5:04 pm. 2. Public comment: None. 3. Approval of Minutes: Bypassed due to lack of quorum. 4. Unfinished Business: Timeline and deadlines: Director Burkey stated that the consultant timeline is in flux with the referendum not occurring in 2024. Discussion of next phases of feasibility/capital planning- Mayor Florsheim provided an update on City Hall status and expressed his gratitude for Howard Weissberg’s presentation at the last meeting. There have not been any significant developments to report since the last meeting. The City continues to engage with the community to determine the best course of action. The bank building is being temporarily and partially occupied by a company that recently purchased property on Main Street and will use it as a temporary swing space. Budget status: Director Burkey reported that all money that was not encumbered in the last fiscal year was reclaimed by the City, as per their typical procedures. The Committee would need to seek approval to have the prior balance restored at the Finance and Government Committee, and then the City Council. The Committee will consider this at an upcoming meeting. Consultant and architect status reports: Chris Nardiof SPA and Jade Espin of MSS presented updates to the Committee. First, Chris Nardi shared an updated aerial view of the layout. There is a proposed raised pedestrian crossing across Broad Street. The proposed service driveway will need enough room for a truck to turn around. Chris Nardi pointed out existing trees along Court Street that would remain in this proposal. The retaining wall at the rear of the property would couple with a sunken courtyard to allow light to the rear offices of the building. Chris Nardi touched upon the fees, stating that the team anticipates some additional efforts spread over the longer timeline than originally planned. The team does not currently have an estimate for the additional fees. Chris Nardi next showed a more refined version of the interior layout. The Hubbard Room remains in the plans and could serve as a versatile area near the community area in the former church building. Chris Nardi then reviewed three refined exterior visions for the library. Concept A preserves the laminated wood arches from earlier proposals along the front of the building, but is more perpendicular. The entry plaza uses Earth tones and would feature a roof plaza between the church building (community space) and the new building (library space). The entry plaza could be open longer than the entire library, which could allow the library to be available for evening events when the entire building is not open. The rooftop plaza could be supervised easier than the higher roof, which would face other design challenges. Concept B features more masonry than the glass featured in the first concept. Masonry is trending more economical in recent construction. Chris Nardi said that the team sought to strike a balance in light and color, notably with use of rainbow windows adjacent to the entry plaza. Chris Nardi stated that glass and metal prices continue to increase, while masonry and wood currently present more economical options. Concept C is a hybrid of the horizontal banding of Concept B and the glass exterior of Concept A. This blend of glass, metal, and traditional masonry elements give a modern twist on traditional building materials. Glass etching on the front of the building could add the look from Concept A at a lower cost. Chris Nardi shared additional eye level perspectives including additional mechanical details (such as solar panels) and the trademark rainbow sculpture in front of the building. Chairman Mangiafico expressed concern with the truck turnaround availability, and Chris Nardi stated that additional refinement of the first floor and basement spaces could allow for truck turnaround. Chairman Mangiafico asked whether the entry rooftop area would be difficult to supervise. Director Burkey stated that the area would likely be a restricted access area. Eamonn Wisneski mused about angled parking depicted on the  rendering and questioned whether the City could make such a change before library construction begins. Jade Esplin updated the Committee on plans for the upcoming community engagement sessions. Planned topics include planning for the future, interior concept plans, updated site plans, and renderings. MSS plans to collect information about how the library can activate spaces within Middletown and impact residents’ lives. Jade Espin said that the feedback is often aspirational. Director Burkey asked the attendees for help in amplifying the notice of these sessions to the community and asked that the invitations for these sessions be widely spread across the community. 5. New Business Economic Impact Study- bypassed until next meeting due to lack of quorum. Meeting format: bypassed until next meeting due to lack of quorum. 6. Adjournment: The meeting ended by general consent at 5:58 pm.