Ground broken for new West Side library

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Library officials conducted a ceremonial groundbreaking Thursday for the new Michael Kusalaba Branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

The new building will replace the former West Side Library at 2815 Mahoning Ave., which closed April 30, and awaits demolition.

“It is so wonderful to be here today as we break ground on this new, much-anticipated library. The road to arrive here may have been long and winding, but that makes it all the more satisfying, knowing that a new community learning and gathering place is now being built,” said Heidi Daniel, library system executive director.

“This library will be a new service model and unlike anything we have in our library system. Part neighborhood library, part state-of-the-art technology hub, and home to our pop-up Library services, it will be a draw, not just for West Side residents, but for the entire county,” she added.

The buildings and sites committee of the library system’s board of trustees awarded nearly $3.5 million worth of contracts for the Michael Kusalaba Branch Library last month.

Construction contracts awarded were: Brock Builders Inc. of North Lima, general contractor, $2,697,700; JR Warren Electrical Contracting Inc. of New Castle, Pa., electrical, $471,632; Acme Bros. Plumbing Contractors Co. of Leetonia, plumbing, $105,950; and D&G Mechanical Inc., of West Middlesex, Pa., mechanical, $199,710.

The new building, whose total estimated cost is $3.775 million, including architects’, engineers’ and interior design costs, will be named in memory of the electrical engineer and 1964 Chaney High School graduate, who died in 2009.

The single-story building, scheduled for completion about a year from now, will emphasize technology and feature meeting and study rooms.

The 12,342-square-foot branch will be a neighborhood library and a place to house materials and vehicles for “pop-up” libraries that visit housing projects, schools and community events.

Major funding for the new building is from the Michael Kusalaba Fund of the Youngstown Foundation, which agreed to donate $1.68 million toward the project in exchange for the naming rights.

The library system is debt- free and has set aside money for the project. The architect is Faniro Architects of Youngstown.