SHARON Library work set to start in May

The city has secured a state grant to cover half the cost.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
SHARON, Pa. -- Work on the proposed renovation of the Shenango Valley Community Library and replacement of its parking deck should begin in May.
Greer Hayden of HHSDR of Sharon, project architects, told city council Thursday that the $1,250,000 project will go out for bid March 8, with bid opening slated for April 7.
Renovation of the building is scheduled to begin May 10, while replacement of the upper level of the two-level parking deck will begin June 14.
The entire project should be done by Nov. 30, Hayden said.
Grant secured
Sharon has secured a $625,000 state grant to cover half of the cost and borrowed money through a bond issue to finance the rest.
The parking deck has been deteriorating for years and the project calls for total replacement of the deck as well as some of the brick work around it. No one will be able to park on the deck's lower level during the construction project, Hayden said.
The library building is scheduled to get new doors and windows, some brick repair and improvements to its heating and cooling systems, provided there is sufficient money.
Hayden said the project will be bid with parts of the job listed as alternate bids that can be deducted if the overall cost exceeds $1,250,000.
Parking problem
Finding temporary parking to replace the 102 spaces in the deck has been a problem.
The city is in the midst of creating a 20-space lot directly across East State Street from the library, tapping a $237,500 state grant to buy and tear down several vacant buildings and replace them with a parking area.
The Mercer County Regional Council of Governments has offered to pick up the cost of putting a bus passenger comfort station at that location for users of the Shenango Valley Shuttle Service or Mercer County Community Transit.
The demolition has been done and council is expected to award a bid in March to Combine Construction Inc. of Sharon for $128,365 to build the parking lot.
Hayden said that lot must be in place before the library project can begin.
City officials said visitors to the library and surrounding businesses without parking lots may have to make use of the city's five-story parking garage a block and a half away at Pitt Street and Vine Avenue until the deck is replaced.
The city will talk to businesses in the area that have their own lots in an effort to find temporary parking for the library's employees.
gwin@vindy.com