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Demolition begins on site for new library Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Construction - or more accurately, destruction - has begun at the site of the new main Jackson County library branch in downtown Medford. By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune Work on the new downtown library branch in Medford is moving ahead as the project shifts from a mental puzzle into physical activity. On Monday, Medford-based Western State Environmental Services began demolishing now-vacant commercial buildings east of Central Avenue, between Ninth and 10th streets, to make room for Jackson County's new main library building. "It is great. The demolition is well under way and we're looking forward to the ground-breaking," said Library Director Ronnie Budge. "(The work) really does make it tangible for everybody." When the dust settles, the buildings that once housed NABI Biomedical plasma center, Guthrie Motors, Beds for Less and Quality Property Management Co. will be gone, making room for the 78,000-square-foot library. Dave Kanner, deputy county administrator, said the demolition cost was about $51,000. The Medford library branch will cost an estimated $18 million, which is part of a $39 million library bond approved by Jackson County voters in 2000. The bond will also result in new or remodeled branches in Ruch, Jacksonville, Applegate, Rogue River, Eagle Point, Shady Cove, Prospect, Butte Falls, Central Point, Gold Hill, Phoenix, Talent and Ashland. The county took bids for the construction portion of the Medford project Tuesday afternoon, Budge said. Tuesday's bids had something in common with every branch library project so far, she added. "All of the bids were well within budget. We'll be reviewing them to make sure all the documents are in order," Budge said, adding that she could not release figures or names on Tuesday until information could be verified. Kanner said the next step includes awarding a contract to the lowest bidder and kicking off the actual construction. City and county officials are planning a large-scale groundbreaking celebration, along with a "Library Lalapalooza Parade," on April 27. Actual work on the library will likely begin in early May, and a completion date is set for fall 2003 or winter 2004. Medford's Urban Renewal Agency will contribute approximately $3 million for streetscape work and parking. Kanner said construction of a new Jacksonville library branch is set to begin in as little as 10 days. Kanner said Adroit came in with the lowest bid of $906,700, beating out JR Turner Construction's bid of $939,000 and Eric Artner Construction's bid of $930,000. "Adroit is a reputable contractor who does very good work," Kanner said. That project will take 210 days to complete, according to Adroit's bid documents. New branch libraries in Ashland, Applegate, Rogue River and Ruch are currently under construction. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.