Jones Library hires consultant to oversee design of expansion, renovations

AMHERST — The Jones Library has hired a consultant to oversee design and construction of its expansion and renovation project.

Colliers International, which has a local office in Agawam, was selected Thursday by trustees to serve as the project manager, following a recommendation from Library Director Sharon Sharry.

Colliers will be paid up to $19,000 for its work.

Sharry said in an email that Colliers is a good fit for the library.

“They are familiar with the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioner’s public library construction grant program, and they are skilled at community outreach and project budgeting,” Sharry said.

They also have experience with projects seeking Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) designation, Sharry said.

Colliers has provided assistance for other projects in Amherst and the Pioneer Valley, including technical project management for the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art and project management services for the West Springfield Library.

The company will be paid using a portion of the $50,000 planning and design grant received from the state’s library commissioners and $25,000 appropriated by Town Meeting.

Selecting an owner’s project manager follows the 200-page building program report submitted to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners over the summer that will guide an architect, to be hired later this year, in developing plans. The program outlines how existing spaces can be reconfigured, including the cramped quarters for children’s books and a circulation desk that is not near the two entrances. It also urges that any expansion project preserve the historic feel of the 87-year-old building.

If the project to expand the 57,000-square-foot building is approved by Amherst voters, construction would take place in 2019.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.