Officials in Plainsboro are preparing to advertise bids to furnish the new library, as well as communications and security systems for new facility.##M:[more]##
The bids are to be sent out on Tuesday, April 14, with an award date in mid-May.
Architect George Schieferdecker, of BKSK Architects, told Township Committee on March 25 that pieces were selected in keeping with the design, but the budget was “north” of what they had originally anticipated. So, the list was trimmed, and “we looked to make alternate selections where it was obvious the pieces we selected were expensive,” Schieferdecker said.
With the current economy, officials decided to bid out the furniture so “that we’ll use the best competition we can.” The bid specifications are written in a way to create competition among the big manufacturers and the dealers who are supplied by those manufacturers, Schieferdecker said. Officials have talked to at least two dealers and one manufacturer to vet their numbers.
With regard to shelving, Schieferdecker said they are looking into whether it would be less expensive to take existing furniture and repaint it, or buy new. The budget for the library furniture is expected to be higher than determined in the original contract that was approved in 2004 because since that time, there has been inflation, and “the size of the library has grown by 34,”000 to 37,”000 square feet.”
Committeeman Michael Weaver asked whether all the furniture would be covered in the budget, or whether they will have to come back and purchase more furniture later.
“Right now, we have a complete library with furniture we would all like to see,” Schieferdecker said. If some furniture is brought in from the old library, it would be refurbished in such a way that it will “all look like it’s meant to be there.”
Also with regard to the library, the committee discussed bids that came in for the audio-visual technology, telecommunications wiring, and security system at the new library.
Project Manager Cary Spiegel told the committee that originally $25,”000 had been budgeted for security, but that they wanted to include CCTV as a feature of the new security system, but that the it would likely cost upwards of $101,”000.
So, they went back and reviewed the features they wanted to see, ensuring that no security cameras would be eliminated from their design. After tightening the security budget, they estimated bids would come in around $47,”000. However, the lowest bidder came in at $75,”000, Spiegel said.
With regard to the telecommunications system, Spiegel said the budget was $250,”000, and the pre-budget analysis with some cuts estimated that the project would probably cost around $216,”000. However, in this case, officials overestimated, and the average bid came in around $104,”000. The lowest bidder estimated the communications system at $84,”000.
The contracts are on the agenda for approval during the committee’s meeting on Tuesday, April 7.
The new library building itself should be completed by June, but the the move is expected to take two months, and by the fall, officials expect to be operational.
The $12.4 million library will hold 125,”000 volumes and provide informal reading areas, display space for art, quiet study rooms, 40 computer stations, a children’s section with an expanded science/computer center, a local history room, and community meeting rooms. In addition, it will feature a health education center and independent study rooms.
Other Business. In other business, the Township Committee is also expected to approve a contract with former township attorney Joseph Stonaker for consulting work. Current township attorney Michael Herbert said Stonaker was working with him on several cases and that the township could benefit from his knowledge.
Also during the April 7 meeting, the committee is expected to award a contract to DeFino Contracting Company, of Cliffwood Beach, for the Plainsboro Road reconstruction project.
The project includes the repaving and reconstruction of Plainsboro Road from the vicinity of the Dey Road and Edgemere Avenue intersection to Enterprise Drive, which will include new sidewalk installation as well. Officials said that the project, which will cost $345,”000, is covered entirely by two state grants.
