After about $6.9 million in repairs and renovations to Mid-County Regional Library in Port Charlotte, the library is expected to reopen in 2026, Facilities Management Director Travis Perdue told county commissioners Jan. 14.
The library building, which once served as a Kash n’ Karry convenience store, was purchased by the county in 2002, renovated and opened as a library in 2005. It sustained severe damage from Hurricane Ian in September 2022 and has been closed since.
Wharton-Smith Inc. was hired by the county to serve as the construction manager for the Mid-County Regional Library project, and the firm’s contract with the county, signed May 17, 2023, provided a Guaranteed Maximum Price, or GMP, of $6,914,843. In addition, the pre-construction services fee paid to the construction manager could total an amount not to exceed $498,130, which is not included in the GMP.
Commissioner Chris Constance said during a Board of County Commissioners meeting Jan. 14, “We were talking about $3.5 million,” referring to initial cost estimates.
In September 2023, commissioners learned the cost of completely replacing the existing building would be an estimated $3.7 million, and construction would take about 36 months.
Hurricane Ian severely damaged the roof, and water intrusion destroyed much of the contents.
The building was insured for $7,776,000 with a deductible of $233,280. The contents were insured for $4,089,834, with a $122,695 deductible.
Although some of the library’s contents were saved and stored off-site, 45% of its book stock was lost.
Commissioner Joe Tiseo said the library was well-used when it was operational.
Located at 2050 Forrest Nelson Blvd., the library has 41,000 square feet of space, with 3,000 square feet that was used for staff. The remaining 38,000 square feet was used for public use and service delivery.
Parking on the 5-acre site allows for 214 parking spaces.
Library administration staff has been using office space at Centennial Park since Hurricane Ian, said Community Services Director Tommy Scott.
Scott said the changes and atrium area will follow most of the library’s former footprint, but that the space had been underutilized and is being redesigned to improve usability.
The atrium will now provide additional air-conditioned space for library programs.
Toward the end of the discussion, Commissioner Ken Doherty warned that the county should watch its reserve cash, as hurricane season begins in several months.
He asked County Administrator Hector Flores what hurricanes Ian, Helene and Milton cost the county to date, and Flores said the county spent $74.8 million on Ian damages and $9.5 million on Milton damages.
Estimates have not yet come in for Helene’s spending, he said.
Meanwhile, the county is awaiting damage assessments and reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Tiseo said FEMA has slowed down its validation process, which is needed before funds are distributed.
