A $10-million expansion of the C. Burr Artz Central Library in downtown Frederick, MD, will soon provide some much-needed additional space.

According to Darrell Batson, library director, actual building costs total $8 million. Funding comes primarily from a government bond within the operating budget of the county, with an additional $450,000 coming from outside contributions. The renovation began in July 2000, with substantial completion set for early March. Batson noted that everything is running on schedule, and a grand opening will be held on April 20, 2002.

“The challenge with this project,” Batson said, “was the footprint — the old existing library.” The decision was made to keep the main library downtown, which meant building a new facility as well as modifying and renovating the old. Space from an old garage and nearby parking lot were used to expand the library space from 27,000 to 66,000 sq. ft. (2,508 to 6,131 sq m).

The library was temporarily moved to a different building for the duration of the project. Approximately 5,000 people are expected to visit the new library each week, which is an increase of more than the 3,000 who visited the old building in 1999.

The lead contract was awarded to Morgan Keller of Frederick. Project Manager Don Kline noted that the entire project was extremely challenging because of the nature of the trades involved.

Subcontractors include Brunswick Excavation, Frederick, for the site work; M.K. Concrete, Frederick; Bragunier Masonry, Clear Spring, MD; Just Wood Industries, Mercersburg, MD, for the millwork; Kline Associated Roofing, Hagerstown, MD; Drywall Finishes, Inc., Eldersburg, MD; C.B. Flooring, Frederick; A.S. Johnson, Clinton, MD, for mechanical/plumbing; and Mec Inc., Meyersville, MD, for electrical.

Major lifting for the job was done by William S. Fout, who used a 100-ton (90 t) KMK 30/50 crane.

Brunswick’s equipment list included a 300 Komatsu track excavator, a 963 Cat loader, a 214 Cat rubber-tired excavator with a hammer that was used to demolish the old building, and several International Payster 5000 trucks.

Hayward-Baker Inc., Odenton, MD, was contracted to do stone column work. Their equipment included a BG-9 drill rig to pre-drill each of the stone column locations and a 2.5-cu. yd. (1.9 cu m) front-end loader. They also rented an “S”-type special vibrator with an electric generator.

Many of the library’s walls are wood-paneled, and the second floor has a barrel vaulted, wood truss ceiling with exposed beams. A reading room features tall windows with a view of Carroll Creek, complete with an outdoor terrace and fountain.

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