Construction of new library could start next month

September 11, 2008: Two years after the ground was broken for a long-awaited public library and archives complex on St. Thomas, the construction contract is being finalized and work is expected to begin next month.

Late last month, St. Thomas-based Balbo Construction was selected as the successful bidder for the approximately $13 million library project. V.I. Public Works Commissioner Darryl Smalls said the contract is being finalized by the government and the Public Finance Authority, which is providing much of the money for the library.

By October, Smalls said, the contract should be fully executed and earthwork on the 4-acre plot near Tutu Park Mall should begin.

"It's fantastic that we're finally under way," Smalls said.

Once work on the library begins, it is estimated to be completed in 18 months, Smalls said.

Plans for a new public library on St. Thomas have been in the works for more than two decades. A ceremonial groundbreaking was held in September 2006, but no work has gone forward since then.

The St. Thomas Regional Library and Records Center will be located near Plaza Extra at Tutu Park Mall. Plans - already completed by Jaredian Design Group - call for a 24,000-square-foot library and 27,000-square-foot archive section. Other planned features include:

- A 5,000-square-foot general reading room.

- A wing with a 3,500-square-foot children's room, featuring a storyteller's platform and murals.

- A wing with a 3,500-square-foot Caribbean room.

- A 2,500-square-foot young adult area around a railed mezzanine.

- A 1,250-square-foot public auditorium with seating for about 100 people.

- Headquarters for the computer system that serves all territorial libraries.

- Display cases in the lobby and two wings for ancient Indian artifacts, including pottery, tools and jewelry that were found in the area when Tutu Park Mall was constructed.

Smalls said that as Public Works commissioner, he has prioritized several projects that have spent years on the drawing board and are already funded - and moved forward with getting them done.

"These will be an asset to the territory and a boost to the economy," Smalls said.

A second long-awaited project is set to go forward. The wheels are in motion to demolish, redesign and rebuild the Toro Building in Orange Grove, St. Croix. Smalls said that the government currently is accepting bids to demolish the former home of the V.I. Justice Department, which was damaged in Hurricane Hugo.

The government has talked about renovating the Toro Building for years. Smalls said that Public Works looked at the costs and logistics to retrofit the damaged building and bring it up to modern safety standards. They found that it would be less expensive to demolish the existing structure and rebuild it to new specifications, Smalls said.

The Property and Procurement Department is accepting bids for the demolition of the structure through Sept. 22, Smalls said. He hoped that a contract with the successful bidder could be finalized by the end of October and demolition work could start by November. Smalls estimated that it will take three to five months to tear down the building.

Once demolition has started, Smalls intends to put designing the new building out for bids. Right now, bid documents for the design are being finalized.

After the design is finished, Smalls said he wants to immediately start collecting bids to rebuild the facility.

"We're looking at starting construction in 2009," Smalls said.

The new Toro Building is slated to house the V.I. Justice Department, Smalls said.

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