The doors of Garden Grove’s biggest public library could remain closed to local residents for up to two years.
The Garden Grove Main Library has closed to replace interior finishes, flooring, ceiling, lighting, mechanical systems, security systems, fire alarm and plumbing at the branch.
An estimated $7.8 million will be spent on making the facility ADA-compliant, a process county library officials state will take 18-24 months.
“This initiative will employ sustainable design practices, mechanical upgrades, enhanced energy efficiency, updated lighting, refreshed paint, new furnishings, and necessary ADA modifications to ensure an inclusive and responsive environment for all,” said Danilo Seranilla, OC Public Libraries spokesperson in an email with Voice of OC.
The county contracted with C.W. Driver, LLC. to work on the Garden Grove Main Library. Company representatives did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
The Garden Grove Main Library is one of four OCPL branches currently under construction – two of which are reopening later than initially stated by county officials.
The Aliso Viejo Library – now expected to open in the fall – was initially projected to reopen for the summer season.
[Read: Aliso Viejo Library Remains Closed for Construction]
The reopening of the Dana Point Library was delayed until the end of summer.
[Read: When will the Dana Point Library Reopen?]
C.W. Driver is also working on the Aliso Viejo and Dana Point libraries.
The Los Alamitos-Rossmoor Library had a delayed reopening last year following nearly two years of construction.
Construction projects involving public buildings often have delays.
“It’s common now when you’re dealing with public properties, you’re going to be dealing with multiple levels of internal strife, and, of course, strife that would end up playing into the contractors field,” said Jonathan Keller, professor of construction technology at Fullerton College, in a June 30 phone call.
“You’re dealing with proposals and budgets, changes in scope and all kinds of things that are internal that change the way the work gets accomplished in the field,” he said, noting that corporate contractors typically build-in a waiting period for approvals into their construction timelines.
Keller, a licensed contractor of 46 years, noted that the approval process can take several weeks to accomplish for public projects due to the volume of parties that have to agree.
“If I was doing a private job and I didn’t get an approval, the job stops, the work stops. Typically if an owner, a private individual, is having to pay insurance and also pay time on a bank loan, they don’t want to hear a reason for a hold up, so they’re going to make decisions quicker,” Keller said.
“When it’s public money, they don’t care.”
Garden Grove Main’s first library building opened in 1921 and was located inside of a local YMCA.
The branch’s current building had its grand opening in 1969.
The city has two other branches that are currently open – the Garden Grove Tibor Rubin Library and Garden Grove Chapman.
Erika Taylor is a Voice of OC Tracy Wood Reporting Fellow and photojournalist. Contact her at etaylor@voiceofoc.orgor@camerakeepsrolling.