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New library could lose nice touches Architect's estimate says design would cost $1 million too much By MELISSA MARTIN Mail Tribune An outdoor reading garden, water fountain and granite walkways may be cut from Medford's new library design after an architect's estimate came in $1 million over budget. The library may lose a second-story deck and patio, 20 percent of the landscaping and may have smaller canopies over the windows, the Medford Urban Renewal Board learned Tuesday night. The $18 million library design is over budget partly because original estimates were conservative and partly because of higher material and labor costs, said Jackson County Library Director Ronnie Budge. "It's like building a home," Budge said. "You say, `I'd love to have a tile roof' but you get an estimate back and find out it's going to be a lot more than you thought." The urban renewal board Tuesday approved a priority list for adding projects back in if construction bids come in low enough for the 80,000-square-foot building. The board's top four priorities are: Use 12-inch brick instead of 8-inch brick on the library's exterior; use granite instead of concrete at the base; include the water fountain; and add back the staff patio on the second floor. "We want a structure that will benefit the city - something we can be proud of for years to come," said board member Bill Dames. Medford Urban Renewal has design authority for Jackson County's main branch because the library is located downtown in the agency's jurisdiction. Urban renewal will invest about $1.5 million for a parking lot, street work and landscape, said director Don Burt. The urban renewal board Tuesday also voted to give Jackson County a $355,000 parcel for the main branch. "We feel we are partners in the project and we want to see it work," Burt said. Jackson County is building a new branch library near 10th and Central to replace the 89-year-old Carnegie building on Main and Oakdale. County voters passed a $38.9 million bond in May 2000 for the main library and the remodel or rebuilding of 14 branches. The main branch design was approved by Medford's Site Plan and Architectural Review Commission in October. Construction is expected to begin in May and be complete in 2003. In other action Tuesday, the urban renewal board approved: An agreement with the Rogue Valley Grower's Market allowing a Saturday market in the South Central public parking lot across from Rogue Community College. The market will be held 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays April through October. This will add to, not replace, the Thursday market at the Medford Center. A memorandum of understanding for the Winetrout building proposed for the corner of Main and Fir. The memo will serve as a bridge until the agency signs a final agreement with the developer on Jan. 22. The annual audit from Talbot, Korvola & Warwick in Portland. Medford Urban Renewal's $13.6 million ending fund balance matches what was budgeted, said auditor Mike O'Toole. "The agency is in good shape financially," he said. Reach reporter Melissa Martin at 776-4497, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.