GLOVERSVILLE – Work has started on a new parking area for the Gloversville Public Library.
Library Director Barbara Madonna said construction work began June 14 with crews installing new drainage pipe for the planned parking lot at 66 E. Fulton St.
Crews from Callanan Industries in Schenectady are working to tie the drainage system into the sewer system, which required getting under the sidewalk in front of the Fulton County Probation Office.
Madonna said the property was purchased for $200 in 2012 at a county tax auction.
The new lot will accommodate staff parking to free up more spaces at the library for patrons. The lot will lie to the east of the library and will be separated from the main lot by the Fulton County Probation Office.
The entire project is expected to cost about $62,000. Funding for the project is being supplied through grant money.
Madonna said the drainage work is expected to be completed within two weeks.
However, the library plans to finish its building renovation before the new parking lot is installed.
Madonna said the planned parking lot site will be used for staging for construction equipment during the renovation work.
The library is planning a complete renovation of the Andrew Carnegie built facility that will begin later this year.
The proposed work includes replacing the original boiler, improving handicapped accessibility, creating a special area in the lower level for children and teens and upgrading electrical, mechanical and ventilation systems.
Work on the renovation project is expected to begin this fall in either October or November. During that time, the library will move into a temporary location that is still being finalized.
After the construction equipment is cleared out, the lot will be finished with landscaping, lighting and a storage garage, since the library will be losing some of its storage space during the library overhaul.
Kerry Minor covers Gloversville. She can be reached at [email protected]
