The Hermiston Public Library will get a $910,000 makeover starting in mid-August.
The Hermiston City Council awarded the construction contract to Knerr Construction in Hermiston at Monday’s council meeting.
Hermiston City Manager Byron Smith said he and Mark Rose, the library director, have discussed the lack of adequate space in the library.
According to plans by Architects West, the remodel of the basement will move the bathrooms to another area which will allow a large portion of the basement to be used for stack space. Several small study rooms will also be removed.
Knerr Construction’s bid – one of five the city received – came in at $910,000, about $15,000 under the estimate.
Smith said work should begin sometime in August.
Also at Monday’s meeting, the council approved a contract with Umatilla County in which the county will contribute $3 million toward the construction of a new three-story, 21,000-square-foot city hall. The overall project is estimated to cost $9 million. The county will have use of a portion of the alley level floor for office space for a period of up to 15 years.
The county has agreed to pay the city between $1,800 and $2,000 per month for the first five years; $2,700 to $3,000 in years six through 10; and $3,600 to $4,000 per month in years 11-15, after which the two parties can renegotiate the terms.
The county’s upfront share of $3 million for construction will come in the form of an annual payment of $500,000 to the City from the proceeds of the Lamb Weston enterprise zone agreement, for a period of five years, from years six through 10 of the exemption, with a final payment of $100,000 from the 11th year.
The council also approved the installation of two stop signs following citizen requests. They will be placed at the intersection of E. Oregon Avenue and N.E. Sixth Street, as well W. Joseph Avenue and S.W. 10th Street, making them both four-way stops.
