A new direction for renovation and expansion of the Walter E. Olson Memorial Library in Eagle River will depend on acceptance of ownership by the Library Foundation, acceptance of a new direction for project completion, and acceptance of a new project proposal by Jeff Visner of Design/Build by Visner.
The library building committee was presented a proposal by Visner along with alternatives to either add or subtract from their base cost of $3,737,643. After lengthy discussion, the building committee narrowed the cost to $3,554,682 leaving the project short $1 million of the current foundation funding. The foundation also met and agreed to accept ownership contingent on its use as a library. Foundation president Nancy Schaffer said they had a healthy discussion with only a few questions that needed clarification, indicating “they want to get it done and get it done right.”
Visner told the committee he will use local contractors and apologized for the process they experienced.
The Town of Lincoln is expected to approve ownership transfer to the foundation at their regular meeting next Tuesday.
