By Mary Goldmeer
Mail

The city of Litchfield Park continues to advance plans for a new library facility despite initial community opposition.

Council is set to meet 10 a.m. Friday,  Dec. 13 to discuss architectural and construction contracts for the project, following the September approval of an intergovernmental agreement with Maricopa County to fund the new library with $5 million in county-provided funds.

The proposed library, part of a larger cultural complex on Litchfield Road near the historic La Loma hilltop property, will be approximately 40% larger than the existing library built in 1979. The new facility aims to offer expanded program space, updated technology, and improved book handling.

The Maricopa County Library District will continue managing library operations, while the city of Litchfield Park will maintain the building and utilities.

Community members initially expressed concerns over the new location’s reduced pedestrian accessibility and its distance from the central Wigwam Boulevard hub. Despite this opposition, council unanimously voted to move forward with the project.

At the Dec. 13 meeting, the council will review motions to approve contracts for architectural services and initial construction activities. The council is set to approve a $500,645 contract with ADM Group Inc., for the library's final design, engineering, and construction documentation.

ADM, which has experience in the area, will collaborate with Colliers Engineering for site civil and utilities design. The contract falls under a cooperative agreement with the 1Government Procurement Alliance. 

The council will also have the opportunity to approve a phased construction contract with McCarthy Building Cos. Inc. The initial phase focuses on acquiring long-lead-time materials, with the project encompassing a 10,000-square-foot library shell, parking lot, utility connections, landscaping, and other site improvements.

Construction costs will total $4.5 million, excluding tenant improvements, which will be handled in a later phase by the Maricopa County Library District.

The new library’s construction is slated to begin in summer 2025, with completion targeted for September 2026. An additional three-month extension may be granted if necessary. The project budget, totaling $5 million, includes both design and construction costs.

In response to public concerns, the city council has committed to hosting additional public meetings to determine the future use of the current library building. City officials emphasized the importance of considering the broader needs of the growing community.

“We have to look at the whole picture,” said Councilmember Lisa Brainard Watson. “You elect us to make decisions on behalf of the community.”

Despite the challenges, council members remain optimistic about the benefits of the new library as part of a cultural hub that will also include the P.W. Litchfield Heritage Center and the proposed Agua Fria Arts Academy.

Visit litchfieldpark.gov for more information at attend the public meeting at City Hall, 214 W. Wigwam Blvd. in Litchfield Park.