CAPE MAY — The city’s somewhat shabby appearing library will get an extreme makeover this fall.
Freeholder Ralph Bakley, who oversees the county Library Commission, said construction would begin in October.
“It’s going to be a beautiful structure, something worthwhile that belongs on Ocean Street,” he said.
Mayor Edward J. Mahaney Jr. said in the mid 1990s, the county took over operation of the Cape May City Library with the city maintaining ownership of the building and the county operating the library. Improvements to the building will be split on a 50/50 basis.
He said City Council was grateful to the county for the improvements. Total cost of renovations to the library will be $507,800 with Cape May paying $122,000 or 32 percent. The county will pay $395,300 or 78 percent, said Mahaney.
The existing roof of the library will be replaced as well as all exterior doors and shutters. The entranceway railings and sidewalks will be reviewed for needed repairs or replacement.
The landscaping will be improved with new plants and shrubs, an irrigation drip system, and improved seating area. Both the exterior and the interior of the building will be painted.
The interior of the building will receive a complete makeover including new carpeting, new lighting, new ceiling tiles, and new furniture. In addition, the bathrooms will be upgraded for handicap compliance.
The Library Commission selected Garrison Architects of Mount Laurel for the design work. The project will be advertised for bid on June 17 with bid proposals due by July l5 to freeholders.
During the construction phase the Cape May City Library Brach will be closed for approximately six to eight weeks.
Deborah Poillon, director of the county Library Commission, said while the library is closed the Bookmobile will visit once a week. A former storage room in the back of the library will be partitioned to allow programs to be held in the building.
Since the building size is not increasing and shelving will be replaced to allow better handicapped access, the number of books in the library will remain the same, said Poillon.
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