SOUTH BERWICK, Maine — St. Michael's Church is a "more than sufficient" space for a new library, though there are multiple structural issues that need to be taken care of if it is to be converted, according to the first draft of $18,000 feasibility study commissioned by the Town Council.
The study, completed by the Connecticut-based JCJ Architecture firm, was reviewed by the town's Building Committee at a 7 a.m. meeting Wednesday. It put the cost of converting the main church floor into library space at $1.3-$2.1 million. Two additional projections for renovating the basement and building an addition to the west wing were estimated at $900,000-$1.3 million and $1.9-2.1 million, respectively.
Currently, the church has water infiltration in the basement, asbestos material in its siding, and a side handicap ramp that does not meet the standards of the Americans With Disabilities Act. All those issues can be resolved during the construction process, according to the study.
The council bought St. Michael's last year for $875,000 with the intention of turning it into a library.
A sketch plans call for eight book stacks spread across an adult section in the space that church pews currently occupy on the main floor, which is 5,800 square feet. Four stacks would be placed in a juvenile section in the middle of the floor, and a children's area would occupy what is now the back of the building. A study room would be placed near what is now the front entrance, and staff offices would be built across from the children's area.
Library Director Mamie Ney, who attended Wednesday's meeting, said the she saw the plan as a "jumping off point, but not a final design."
She added she was concerned about increased operating costs for the bigger space. The current library, located on Portland Street, occupies one-and-a-half floors of a colonial-style house dating back to the 1850s. It seats about 10 people.
Building Committee Chairman Tom Harmon and other members agreed they wanted the firm to further study the water infiltration and asbestos issues. The committee will soon notify the firm of its requests, and the firm will in turn submit a finalized study that could be presented to the council in February.
Council Chairwoman Jean Demetracopoulos, who along with fellow Councilor David Burke attended Wednesday's meeting, said the leakage and asbestos issues could raise the cost of the project. She added a potential bond for the conversion work would not come up this budget cycle.
Burke defended the 7 a.m. start time of the meeting — which was a point of contention among some residents during Monday's council meeting. Councilors argued the time was more convenient for the Building Committee members who work day jobs.
"In order to get things done, you have to make it convenient for people doing the work," Burke said.
JCJ Architecture has been involved in dozens of building projects throughout New England, including the recent proposed expansion of Portsmouth Middle School.
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