The Zeeland City Council is pondering a disconcerting report that it could face a $134,000 bill to improve the Howard Miller Library and Community Center, almost three times more than it budgeted for a facelift.
That amount is the worst-case estimate presented by Gernot Runschke of GMB Architects in Holland for repairs and maintenance to the 15-year-old building. The city had estimated the repairs to cost about $50,000.
“I think we do what we have to do to take care of our building,” Council member Jim Broersma said. “We want to maintain the building, but some of us are starting to feel like that’s a money pit.”
The library was built in 2005 for $4.6 million. The city a few years ago put new gutters on the building and repaired the roof, and in 2007 spent $7,000 to repair the heating and cooling system.
Runschke, who has spent almost a year to determine city maintenance needs, said several of the library’s walls were opened to determine the structural integrity, which is sound.
He did say, however, that the building is well overdue for several maintenance issues and a good cleaning.
The report includes estimates as high as $40,000 for stain removal of the exterior panels on the east and west sides of the building, to as low as $800 to refinish wooden entry doors.
Runschke said he put everything into the estimate. “I think we can put some alternates into the bids.”
One area for potential cost savings, he said, is nearly $20,000 pegged for refinishing exterior panels. They are currently rust-stained and could be cleaned instead.
A major area of concern is the foundation walls below grade in areas covered by planting beds. Those areas have been subject to frequent water infiltration, including during the June storm when several areas of the lower level got wet.
Mayor Les Hoogland said the community center, built in 2005, was constructed over an underwater river.
Removing and storing the plants, excavating the site and repairing the foundation walls will cost about $9,000, according to the GMB report.
The council is expected to make a decision on the community center July 20.
