Grafton Library Expansion, Renovation Project Hits Milestone

GRAFTON, MA — CTA Construction announced that it marked the ‘topping off’ of the superstructure of the Grafton Public Library expansion and renovation project with the final steel beam on July 30.

The $16.6 million project is expected to be completed in late spring of 2021. The 1928 building will be transformed into a modern 26,000 square-foot library that will better meet the needs of the growing community.

“This is a major milestone in the life of this project, and we’re excited to let the Grafton community know that work has been progressing along schedule,” said Paul DuRoss, a principal at CTA Construction. “The expanded Grafton Public Library will improve access and enable more programming and services to be offered.”

The ‘topping off’ ceremony for a major construction project is a tradition that was established by steelworkers and other construction crews to mark placement of the final steel beam at the top of a building’s superstructure. It has come to be recognized as a significant milestone that is regularly observed along the course of a project’s timeline.

As part of the project, the front section of the library will be preserved with an entrance onto Grafton Common. The upper level will include the historic main reading room, showcasing original windows and woodwork, as well as meeting rooms, collections and services for adults. The lower level will house youth services and collections, including a children’s program room, a teen-tween program and gaming rooms, tutoring rooms, and mechanical and electrical equipment space.

A 117-seat community room will be added for local organizations and groups to utilize, and the renovated library will also allow for more public access to computers.

The Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP), administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, awarded the town of Grafton a $7.4 million grant towards the $16.6 million project.