Despite the gloomy weather, groundbreaking for the new town hall and library went as planned on Friday, Dec. 7.
Three township managers, three mayors and two architects later, township manager Scott Carew said the planning for the project was not easy.
“This is an event long in the making, perhaps long overdue. Today is the day and this was going to happen regardless of what the weather turned out to be,” he said.
Pennsauken-based Sambe Construction was awarded the $11.1 million contract in the beginning of November.
According to Greyhawk’s timeline, the project is expected to begin by the end of this month and completed by March 2014.
The 46,000 square foot, two-story structure will be home to both the library and administrative offices. Council will hold its meetings in the new building.
Mayor John Button said the start of the town hall project was long overdue.
“As you may have seen there was a lot of conversation with council on and off for a long time. But you know, we pulled together and actually made it happen,” he said.
The library will remain open during construction. According to Greyhawk’s timeline, the library will be relocated as soon as the project is completed.
“More than half the building is going to the library,” Carew said.
Carew said the members of the staff advisory committee, police department and library board provided input into the design of the building.
Library board member Karen Cooper said board members as well as library staff met with Ragan Design architects providing input for the new structure. She said they practically gave the design group “their dream list of what they optimum way the space can be used.”
“Countless hours were spent discussing and coming up with the checklists,” she said.
The plans for the new library took technological advances into consideration.
President of the library board Glen Walton said the members wanted “the infrastructure to be able to support the future” and look at “what the library is going to look like in five to 10 years.”
“So we are trying to build that,” Walton said.
Council member Michael Testa, Button and Deputy Mayor Greg Gallo watched the project slowly form. As Testa, Button and Gallo’s terms end, Victoria Napolitano, Greg Newcomer and Phil Garwood will replace them.
“Four years ago, we came into office in an economic downturn,” said Testa. “Today is a culmination of all the hard work and all of that collaboration.”
He said the project reflects the current “financial stability of the town” allowing the project to be completed for the community.
“It’s going to be a great testament for the future,” he said.
The new structure “will feed off Main Street,” Button said.
“I believe it will live on for many years. This could be the heart of the town,“ he said.
