West Side library branch on schedule

YOUNGSTOWN — The architect leading construction on a new West Side branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County expects the project to come in on schedule and under budget.

“I think it’s rainbows, butterflies and unicorns out there,” said Ron Faniro of Faniro Architects.

Faniro, who is leading construction on the Michael Kusalaba branch at 2815 Mahoning Ave., provided the update at a meeting of the library’s building and sites commission this morning.

The project was budgeted at $2.8 million with a completion date of Dec. 20.

The committee approved entering into a $51,867 contract with Executive Landscaping Inc. of Vienna to landscape the branch, which is $11,000 less than the library’s estimated cost of $63,000 for the work.

The landscaping will include a grove of nine maple trees which the Rocky Ridge Neighbors association can tap for maple syrup when they mature. The Rocky Ridge Neighbors tap maple trees in Mill Creek MetroParks each year and sell the syrup to raise money for the park and other initiatives.