Gurnee's Warren-Newport to break ground on expansion today

An official groundbreaking ceremony is set today for an expansion and interior renovation of Warren-Newport Public Library in Gurnee.

Free refreshments and mementos will be offered at the event starting at 6 p.m. at the library, 224 N. O'Plaine Road. Elected Warren-Newport officials will participate in the groundbreaking.

Warren-Newport spans about 51,000 square feet and was last expanded in 1997. Plans call for the library to grow by another 4,500 square feet, with construction expected to be completed in 2011. A tentative budget of $8 million has been established for the project.

Larger restrooms, more meeting space, additional study rooms and a dedicated area for teenagers are among the project's highlights. Library board members agreed in April that meeting rooms will be off-limits to the public during construction.

Chicago-based architecture firm NagelHartrayDankerMcKayPenney Ltd. has been hired for the expansion and renovation work. In June, after presentations by NagelHartray representatives, the library board agreed a red-cherrywood theme should be used for the new lobby's interior.

As part of the project, space that's been set aside for a cafe near the main entrance since 1998 will be eliminated. Instead, the library will have a vending area with snacks and drinks toward the inner part of the structure.

Library officials have said there is plenty of room for residential expansion within the district.

Those areas include Old Mill Creek north of Gurnee Mills and north of Wadsworth in Newport Township.

Warren-Newport serves about 60,000 residents. The library district includes all or most of Warren and Newport townships, including Gurnee, Wadsworth, Park City, Wildwood, Grandwood Park, Old Mill Creek and Grayslake.