Van Buren library work has begun. No, really.

story and photo by Marla Cantrell
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There’s still no construction going on at Van Buren’s new $3.4 million library at 15th and Main, but there is demolition work underway.

Strange as that may seem, it is progress.

On Tuesday (July 6), Crawford Construction began tearing out the massive angled steps leading to the main entrance. The demolition is necessary because the steps and other areas of concrete work inside the building did not meet specifications.

When these areas, as well as other items listed on the architect’s punch list are reworked, the last 15% of construction will begin.

The library was 85% complete when a fire erupted in September 2008. From that event, a legal tangle began. First, the general contractor, Bossler Construction in Springdale, went under. Soon after, lengthy negotiations with two separate bonding companies began.

Just last week, Traveler’s Casualty and Surety Company signed a $233,000 settlement with the city, which should be the final piece of this puzzle. The city still has approximately $1.5 million allocated for the 19,000-square-foot library from the now retired one-half percent sales tax. Crawford Construction’s winning bid, which includes $250,000 still owed to sub-contractors, was $1,315,200.

Even though the settlement money is not yet in Van Buren’s bank account, city officials felt the work should begin.

“They had sub-contractors who had submitted bids back in March,” Mayor Bob Freeman said. “Now it’s July. They didn’t know how long they could lock in their prices.”

Crawford Construction is the same company that completed the fire damage on the library, so they are familiar with the scope of work. They expect to be finished in six months, and while Freeman hopes the date is accurate, he won’t speculate. The library is already the oldest new building in town.

“We know there may be an unknown; we’ve learned that can happen. What’s going on now is a bit of a relief, and Crawford has such a stellar record — they’re a hometown company. I think every time I see more happening, I breathe a little easier. I don’t think even when the doors open, I’ll be 100 percent relieved. I’ll probably make to 99.9 percent and that’s okay.”