Library Parking Lot Expansion Hits Snag

Plans for the expansion of the Palm Harbor Library parking lot hit a snag recently after library director Gene Coppola received contractor bids of $72,000 and $112,000 for a project that was originally thought to cost much less.

"When the lowest bid is nearly $42,000 over what the max was estimated at, I have to find out what's going on," said Coppola.

Coppola said he was originally given a ballpark figure of about $30,000 for the expansion project, which would provide an additional 18-20 parking spaces. The parking lot expansion would include the clearing of a green space on the library's western side and relocation of trees, along with landscaping and construction of the parking lot.  

However, the project's designer later told Coppola that it was possible to put in 27 parking spaces.

"When he said we can do 27 parking spaces, he didn't go the next step and say, 'By the way, this is going to cost you more money'," said Coppola.

"I should have had a red flag on it in my head. 27 parking spaces, that means this is probably going to cost more," he added.

Coppola said the higher cost reflected adding 27 parking spaces, which would require more tree removal and relocating and additional landscaping.

"We don't have the money for that, the foundation doesn't have the money for that," said Coppola.

He went back to the Library Foundation, who is funding the project and the foundation agreed to support $32,000 at the most for the parking project.

Coppola says the design will be modified to 18-20 parking spaces which will lower costs and additional bids will be requested.

The project was originally scheduled to be completed in May, however Coppola says at this point that timeline has been pushed back and a date for completion has not been set.

Related

• Library Parking Lot: Some Trees Could Be Replanted
• Palm Harbor Library to Expand Parking Lot

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