Architect chosen for Cook Memorial expansion
Cook Memorial Public Library District officials have chosen a familiar architectural firm to develop plans for a proposed two-site expansion.
Engberg Anderson Design Partnership, a Milwaukee firm, topped a field of five firms that wanted to design a new library in Vernon Hills and a facility expansion at the main library in Libertyville.
The library board decided Tuesday night to begin negotiating a contract for the project, which was unveiled this past spring.
Engberg Anderson has worked on several projects for the district. Most recently, it oversaw a lighting-improvement project at the main library in 2005. It helped create the district's branch library in Vernon Hills in 2003.
The firm also developed a roughly $28 million plan to build new libraries in Libertyville and Vernon Hills in 2002, but voters rejected that proposal the following year.
"I have a lot of confidence (in) Engberg," board President Aaron Lawlor said.
The board voted 5-1 to begin negotiating a deal with Engberg Anderson. Ann Oakley voted against the move, and Mary Ann Phillips was absent.
Oakley said she preferred hiring an architect that hadn't worked with the district before, "to do something different." She also had concerns about the 2005 lighting project because the initial construction bids came in more than double the architect's estimate.
As for the current expansion proposal, the board is considering two plans.
One for the main library to be expanded by about 10,000 square feet, and the construction of a new 20,000-square-foot library on land on Aspen Drive south of Route 60. That property is owned by the village of Vernon Hills.
The other option includes the same expansion at the main library, but would put a new Vernon Hills library in a vacant retail space on the 700 block of Deerpath Drive.
The library board has voted to develop a dual expansion plan, but has not yet decided which option it will pursue.
The projects could cost $12 million. The board intends to borrow the money and use annual budget surpluses to pay it back.
The library board is expected to vote on an architectural contract Aug. 14.