As the Elaine I. Sprauve Library’s historical resources — and librarians — suffer through another sweltering summer, Government House has announced that money has been secured for renovations to the historical building, and an advertisement for bids will go out this month.
Nine hundred thousand dollars has been secured through the Public Finance Authority for the project, according to Government House spokesperson John Greaux.
“The architect, Spencer Brown, is now putting together a package for submission to the Department of Property and Procurement,” said Greaux. “We’re hoping for the project to go out to bid in August, with the bid award taking place sometime in late November.”
Despite previous problems with getting the renovations started, things should move forward this time, explained Greaux.
“The money is secured, and we’re going through the drill now of getting the package together and getting bids,” he said.
The last time the project went out to bid in 2006, no bids were received, according to DPNR and the PFA.
The renovations to the building, which dates back to 1750, call for the building to be made adaptable to air conditioning; the examination of the electrical wiring; and the expansion of shelving, among other things.
In the meantime, the library’s resources, including the computers, books and paintings, suffer in the hot, humid air. The heat index inside the building has reached 108 degrees this year, and generally hovers around 100 degrees during the summer.
