The Prince George Public Library is finally getting a new entrance

The Bob Harkins Branch of the Prince George public library will finally be getting a new entrance.

Despite a rise in cost council approved five recommendations at its April 29 regular meeting that will allow both the library entrance project and a circulation area renovation to go forward.

“This is really big night for the library entrance project,” said Coun. Terri McConnachie. “This space is enormously used by perhaps the widest demographic of any public building in our city. There’s always that balance sought between asking what is too much and falling short and I think that this absolutely hits the right spot.”

The library entrance project was included in the 2014-2018 capital plan, and funding was provided in 2015 to prepare a plan for development, however, the project basically remained in limbo until now.

Adam Holmes, the city’s director of engineering, says that because of the delays in the project the budget has to be increased.

“There are increases in construction material costs, and one of the other things is that we had to add some scope to the project,” explained Holmes. “We had to add another staircase for fire code; there were some fire code changes that happened during this time and that increased the cost as well.”

The circulation area renovation was originally budgeted for $388,000, but council approved an increase to $410,000, and the new entrance project was budgeted for $2,672,000, but council approved an increase to $3,950,000.

Council also approved that the funding for both projects will come from the city’s endowment reserve.

In the staff report to council regarding the project, the city notes that the library’s current entrance poses challenges for many including young families, people with disabilities, seniors and staff.

All five recommendations have been carried unanimously by council, looks like this project might finally get off the ground. (The gallery burst into applause once this had passed) #CityofPG

— Hanna Petersen (@hannaepeter) April 30, 2019

“I was in the library recently and got comment on the concerns and possible safety issues with the entrance and it’s been that way for a long time,” said Coun. Murry Krause. “This has been a project that has been in the works for a very long time and that has created an escalation of cost.”

City Manager Kathleen Soltis said the city will use the $6 million from the one-time doubling of the federal gas tax, as well as the $8.1 million from the northern capital grant program to replenish the endowment reserve.

The Bob Harkins branch of the Public Library was built in 1982.

It has never undergone a renovation to address what many consider its number one concern – accessible public access.

The entrance project aims to bring the entrance and elevator up to modern accessibility standards and increase but also to increase staff and patron safety and comfort.