By Mark Lineberger, Larson Newspapers
The Camp Verde Journal of Camp Verde, Arizona
Visible progress was the forecast last week for the new Camp Verde Municipal Library, currently under construction next to the current library and Rezzonico Family Park.
Camp Verde Public Works Director Ron Long and Library Director Kathy Hellman gave an update to the public Sept. 2 at a Camp Verde Town Council meeting.
The $4 million project was approved by the Town Council in January; the contract was given to Flagstaff-based Woodruff Construction.
Long said that the concrete slab foundation for the two-story 17,000-square foot building was being prepared to be poured last week.
"It's a big step in the process," Long said.
Long said that the construction workers start the process very early in the morning.
"Because of the concrete and hot temperatures and possibility for rain," Long said. "We want to get that concrete set well before the afternoon."
Councilwoman Robin Whatley, who lives in the nearby neighborhood, said she doesn't mind being woken up by construction for the library.
Getting a new library construction project off the ground took years and the efforts of groups like the Citizens Committee for the Camp Verde Library, a nonprofit that raised thousands of dollars for the cause A good portion of the money used in building the library came from private donations.
There were also contentious debates over where to build the new library.
Eventually, everything came together.
Long said that after the slab sits for a few days, masons will be arriving this week to build a retention wall.
That will be followed by two weeks of building elevator shafts for the building.
If everything stays on schedule long said the steel bones of the building will start to go up the week of Sept. 28.
"That's when people will really start to believe we're getting this library," Long said.
The concrete for the second floor should be ready to go by late November.
Hellman explained pictures of the construction site, noting that the library's staircase will be utilitarian.
"We didn't want something taking up a lot of space," Hellman said.
Hellman knows the designs for the new library well and pointed out where the kitchens and bathrooms will be.
"We're making lots of great progress," Hellman said. "It's going to be very visible as it goes vertical."
The old library, built in the 1970s, will be demolished.
The new building was designed by local architect Joel Westervelt.
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