Library Finally Able to Start Its Next Chapter

By Lee Burnett, submissions editor

Work has resumed on Goodall Library’s $4.5 million expansion, five months after a funding interruption halted construction. There was relief and normalcy as workers returned to their jobs, but there are also new challenges as the library begins to unravel months of convoluted finances.

“It was basically a juggling act,” said Library Director Ann Thomas, who deferred part of her salary to buffer employees from cutbacks. “I lost a lot of sleep.”

The library began construction last October, soon after former Library Director Chip Schrader left for another job, on the mistaken assumption that a $3 million grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Renewal would soon be released. The library paid its bills from interest generated from its endowment investment, and soon began calling Maine’s congressional offices to speed up the bureaucracy. Work was suspended in early April.

“When we stopped construction, we owed TPD (general contractors TPD Construction) more than $500,000,” Thomas said.

The juggling continued. The library spent as much of its endowment interest as it could without dipping into principal, as directed by financial advisor Sean Dumont of Edward Jones. It secured advance payment of $70,000 for new slate roofing from the City of Sanford. TPD offered a discount on borrowing charges on the money it is owed.

“We’re really lucky TPD is a local firm. They’re invested in the community,” said Thomas. Grants from Literacy Volunteers for technology and from Southern Maine Regional Planning and Development for hotspots and laptops were temporarily diverted.

Finally, HUD funds were released and drawn down Aug. 29. Thomas thanked Pam Buck at Sen. Susan Collins’ office and Sarah Stanley at Sen. Angus King’s office for their special effort.

“I think we’re moving in the right direction,” Thomas said.

The five-month delay has driven up costs. There’s the interest owed TPD. Material prices have escalated. There are also the unplanned additional charges for utilities and extending the lease for temporary space at the Center for Shopping. The original price tag of $3.9 million has ballooned to more than $4.5 million, according to Thomas.

TPD has begun calling back the dozens of drywallers, electricians, roofers, masons, and HVAC contractors who moved on to other jobs in the interim. “There’s a lot of different people,” said Greg Dumont, TPD’s project supervisor. Some subcontractors, such as the copper gutter fabricators, “will be tough” to get back, he said.

In the meantime, the library board of trustees is putting together a fundraising plan to cover the higher-than-expected costs. “I’d love to raise one million [dollars],” said Thomas. First up is a silent art auction Saturday, Sept. 14, organized by the Sanford Arts Commission. The library also plans to send out an annual appeal letter – first to businesses and later to patrons – and to organize other fundraising events. An application for $49,000 to the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation is pending.

The library expects to move back to its home in June, seven months later than the originally projected completion date.