Village Board Gives Library Thumbs Up on Renovation Plans

Deerfield’s Village Board enthusiastically and unanimously approved expansion plans for the $12 million renovation project last week.

Plans to refurbish the library include installing new HVAC equipment, reconfiguring and expanding interior by 10,000 sq. ft. to provide for more meeting space, new technology, and expanded space for the library’s growing collection of books, periodicals and audio visual media.

Improved infrastructure will also include a new parking lot containing a revised traffic pattern, nearby off-site staff parking, and improved landscaping and exterior lighting. 

Both the Plan Commission and the Village Center Development Commission had approved the proposal earlier.

Library president Ken Abosch called it another milestone achieved on the way to a new and expanded library that was envisioned by voters last November when they approved a to rejuvenate their 40-year-old library.

Village trustee , a former library board member, said Architect PSA-Dewberry, Chicago, has done a fine job developing the library’s design elements and its functional open space.

”I am also impressed with the way that the library board has provided the public with openness and transparency at every step of the process, such as having informational open houses, library trustee appearances at Farmers Markets, and various other civic events,” he said.

Now, one of the next big challenges will be finding temporary space to house the library’s collection and maintain staff services during the building’s construction phase.

Jerry Aulisio, principal in AT Group Inc., Park Ridge, is representing the library board in securing space. He told trustees at last week’s meeting that he is seeking about 20,000 sq. ft. of vacant space within the Village of Deerfield with adequate parking. Leasing proposals are invited.

“We hope to avoid occupying traditional retail space since that would deprive the Village of capturing essential sales tax revenues during these difficult economic times,” he said.

Aulisio said he also expected to apply for a conditional or special use permit from the Plan Commission before such space can be occupied.

Library officials would like to have the space in place by no later than the end of the year, since they hope to become operational at the temporary site early next year, well before construction begins in earnest by next April. The space would be leased for roughly a year.