GUEST COMMENTARY: The Williamsburg Library Can And Should Be Saved
Renovation emerges as best option given changes in funding and estimated patrons
The opinions expressed by the author in this guest commentary are not necessarily those of the Williamsburg Independent.
In my previous commentary concerning the library, I analyzed the 10-year cost to City residents of building a new 50,000 square foot library without financial participation from James City County and York County. This cost included debt service on $40 million financed over 10 years, and the additional funding from the City to operate 2 new libraries. Add it all up and the cost totals approximately $64 million.
PROJECTED 10-YEAR COSTS OF NEW LIBRARY:
Debt: $40,000,000
Interest on debt: $9,317,000
Increased Annual Operating Cost (2 new libraries in Williamsburg & JCC): $15,375,000
Total Cost Over 10 Years: $64,692,000
In 2018 RRMM Lukmire Architects (Lukmire) investigated the status of the library facility, and the options for updating the library and increasing space to 55,000 square feet from the current 40,000 square feet. They incorporated into their report the findings of the 2017 facility assessment performed by JP Harvey Engineering Solutions. Lukmire provided a Final Architect’s Assessment report in May 2018 following a PowerPoint Presentation with a summary of the deficiencies of the current facility and an outline of several alternatives. The latter is posted on the Library’s website.
A copy of the 2018 library condition report provided by the City can be downloaded below:
Based on a review of the report and a walk-through I took of the library, each of these challenges can be addressed in order to save and preserve our unique and beloved building. My sense was most of the comments on the Library’s Facebook page supported keeping the current library building and perhaps updating it. And we can do so with less cost. Given our City’s unique history and our place in it, as you read through the architect’s report, ask yourself “what is worth preserving?”
A Closer Look at Current Deficiencies and Remedial Considerations
Several issues have been used to justify constructing a new library instead of renovating the current library. These include questions about the integrity of the library’s structure and leaks in the roof, inflexibility of current bookshelves, deficient lighting, access for all patrons and even parking. Each of these are addressed below:
Library Building Structure
The website of the Regional Library said the existing facility was “aged and deteriorated.” That’s not what the Architect’s Assessment Report said. It said the structure was sound and the systems good to excellent though some improvements could be made.
Roof and Water leaks
A tour of the facility noted a number of water leaks during heavy rains. (Why this hasn’t been addressed over the past years is hard to understand.) Nevertheless, the architect’s report revealed no structural deficiencies in the roof itself. The facility is mainly a one-story building with a flat roof. The leak issues can be resolved with a roof restoration.
Further, no one has made this recommendation, but a flat roof on a one-story building makes a prime location for adding solar panels and thereby improving the energy efficiency of the building.
Structural Bookshelves
The “structural bookshelves” may be the most misunderstood feature of the entire facility. These are simply built-in bookshelves where the first level shelves support the mezzanine shelves. They don’t support the roof.
In the architect’s report, the chief objection was the lack of flexibility to add a second story space; however, without a need to add more new net space, this objection disappears. The current shelves are functional and serve their intended purpose. The width of the aisles between shelves EXCEEDS ADA guidelines and is the same as in the James City County Norge Library.
I do have a couple of recommendations. First, add a metal or wood handrail to the top of the parapet walls to increase the height to meet current code standards. Second, renovate the existing elevator to the mezzanine level.
Lighting and Natural Light
A couple of objections have been raised regarding the amount of natural light and the current lighting system. The architect’s report noted that the windows are surrounded by dense, lush landscaping that hides the library from its surroundings and does not allow patrons to see into the library. This one is particularly easy to solve by simply cutting back the shrubbery in front of the windows to get more natural light into the building.
The report also notes the extensive use of fluorescent and incandescent lighting fixtures. I would recommend a lighting retrofit project to replace all fluorescent and incandescent lighting with new LED lighting and a new lighting control panel to improve interior lighting as well as energy efficiency. Again, this should have been done years ago.
In my opinion, the architect’s report incorrectly noted that the basement staff lounge lacked windows. During my tour I observed that windows covered the entire exterior wall at the top in this space. I would suggest that the current fixtures be replaced with new LED light fixtures as part of the aforementioned lighting retrofit.
Restrooms Not ADA Compliant
The architect’s report noted that the restrooms were not ADA compliant. This is a simple renovation project to upgrade the restrooms including conformance to ADA guidelines. Once again, why hasn’t this been done previously over the past 8 years since it was first noted in the report.
Parking
The number one survey request was for more parking. The architect’s report identified a total of 321 parking spaces on the block including the open-air lots, parking garage, and street parking. The report recommended 250 spaces for the library and auditorium and noted that other spaces are required for the Police Station and Stryker Center.
However, this was before the construction of the new police station, when the old building could be demolished and turned into a parking lot. Currently parking spaces being taken by police vehicles will be resolved when they are relocated to the new police station.
Additional Staff Space Desired
There were concerns about the lack of staff space, insufficient sized workstations, and the fact that not all staff were co-located in the same space. These concerns were noted as deficiencies before James City County’s decision to build a new library 3.5 miles away. Once completed, this will give the regional library staff ample space between both facilities.
In the meantime, additional staff space can be made in one of the two existing meeting rooms adjacent to the auditorium lobby, rent the available office space a block away, or use a temporary office trailer placed on the Scotland Street side of the building.
Mechanical, Plumbing, and Electrical Systems
JP Harvey Engineering Solutions (JPHS) performed a facility assessment in 2017 of the building’s existing mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems. The mechanical system had been recently replaced and the overall system rated as good to excellent condition. The plumbing fixtures were noted to be in good condition. The electrical system was noted to be operational and functional.
Other Remedial Steps
While most of the issues above will require significant investment and work to address, changes and improvements below should be able to be accommodated during the normal annual budgeting process over a couple of years.
Duplex sanitary sewer ejector should be replaced.
Electrical code-related issues were noted and should be corrected. I would also recommend an infrared scan of all electrical equipment and panels and any conditions noted be repaired.
HVAC modifications were recommended to reduce outside air circulation into the building for improved energy efficiency; however, since COVID, generally more outside air circulation is suggested, so no major changes are necessary at this date.
CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE CHANGED SINCE 2018
In 2018, the City agreed to participate with James City County and York County in cost of constructing a new library in the City
Priorities changed and the City built and financed $35 million for new Police and Fire Stations and Plan to borrow another $27 million for urgently needed water system infrastructure needs
James City County has recently approved building a $300 million Governmental Center including a new library facility, 3.5 miles from the Williamsburg Library
Now James City County and York County have declined to participate in the cost of building a new library in the City
Summary of Recommendations
The prudent fiscal decision would also appear to be fixing those deficiencies noted and remaining in the existing library facility. If conditions change in the future, this leaves the City with the ability to consider a major renovation, or possibly a new, albeit smaller, library building. The changes I recommend for renovating the current library include:
Demolish the old police station and convert the space into a parking lot.
Perform a roof restoration and add solar panels.
Reuse structural bookshelves. Add railing to the top of the parapet perimeter wall. Renovate the existing elevator.
Renovate the restrooms and make ADA compliant.
Cut or remove the shrubbery obscuring natural light entering through the existing windows.
Perform a lighting retrofit to replace fluorescent and incandescent fixtures and add a new lighting control panel throughout the facility.
Replace the sanitary sewer ejector.
Remediate any existing electrical code violations. Perform an infra-red scan of all electrical equipment and panels and repair any deficiencies noted.
Consider using one of the two meeting rooms adjacent to the auditorium lobby for added staff space.
Preserve the City’s history for future generations. Renovate instead of demolish.
I have provided our City leadership with a more detailed analysis of the engineer’s report and my recommendations, including a financial analysis, which you can dowload below:
I plan to present a series of slides explaining the benefits of renovating the library at an upcoming City Council meeting. You can download that presentation below:
About the Writer: During a 45-year career, Robert Wilson worked with senior leadership teams to develop and implement innovative strategic and business plans that have fostered growth and profitability. His background includes direct profit and loss responsibility, forging effective multi-functional leadership teams, restoring organizations to sound financial footing, and implementation of best practices initiatives. He has demonstrated a mastery of turnarounds and troubled companies in a variety of business sectors.
Prior to retiring in 2021, Dr. Wilson was Co-COO of a $2 billion operating division of a Fortune 500 Company. He has held the positions of CEO, President, COO, and CFO in several regional and national organizations during his career. Since retiring from corporate life, Mr. Wilson has served as an adjunct instructor in the business school at Christopher Newport University.
Dr. Wilson holds a BBA degree from the College of William & Mary, a MS in Finance degree from the University of Arizona, and a Doctorate in Management from the University of Maryland Global Campus. He is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma honorary business fraternity. Since 1979, he has held a Certified Public Accounting license in the Commonwealth of Virginia (currently inactive) and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and an original member as a Chartered Global Management Accountant.
Dr. Wilson resides in the City of Williamsburg and may be contacted at wilstar2001@gmail.com.