Fremont Library parking upgrade to start next month
The upcoming repaving of the Fremont Public Library's parking lot will result in the temporary closure of a drive-up book drop and other inconveniences for patrons.
But when the work is done, officials said, the lot outside the facility at 1170 N. Midlothian Road in Mundelein will have a much smoother surface, better drainage and a few additional parking spots.
The project is scheduled to begin July 17 and should be complete by Sept. 1.
The entire lot will be resurfaced and restriped, the subsurface will be reinforced in some areas, and extra drainage systems will be installed.
The lot has 186 parking spaces now and will gain a few more after the restriping, library Director Scott Davis said.
Additionally, underground heating equipment will be installed beneath the sidewalks at the front entrance to reduce slush and ice buildup in winter.
"Because the front entrance faces north, it does not get adequate sunlight to properly melt snow and ice," Davis said.
Officials have maintained, resealed and restriped the lot through the years, but it hasn't been repaved since the library opened in 2001.
The cars and trucks that have driven through the lot have taken their toll on the asphalt, Davis said. The pavement is cracked in some spots and distorted in others.
The parking lot will remain open during most of the project.
The main entrance to the building, however, will close while work is being done in front of it. Patrons will be asked to use a door on the east side of the building near the youth department.
Additionally, the drive-up book drop will be unavailable during the entirety of the project. Items can be returned inside the library or at neighboring libraries.
Grace periods for items due to be returned will be extended to offset that inconvenience, Davis said.
Also, near the end of the project, the library will close for about three days so crews can complete the work.
Patrons at the library Thursday didn't seem worried about the adjustments they'll need to make starting next month.
"I'll find a way to work around it," said Mundelein resident Kelly Koontz, who visits the library at least once a week with her kids.
Wauconda resident Jim Koch said infrastructure maintenance is an important investment and called the project a "minor inconvenience."
The project will cost the district $512,400. The Accu-Paving Co. of Broadview is handling the job.
Information about the project will be available in the library lobby and online at fremontlibrary.org. The library's Facebook page will have updates, too.