Land cleared for Scott-Sebastian County Library; cost estimated at $5 million
by December 30, 2024 12:04 pm 1,137 views
Sebastian County Library facility rendering from MAHG Architecture.
The land in Greenwood where a new Scott-Sebastian County Library will sit had to be cleared of rock before any construction could begin, but that part of the project is now complete, according to Sebastian County Judge Steve Hotz.
He said much of the shale excavated from the site will be used on other projects.
“The ground is finished, now we can put it out to bid,” Hotz said, adding that the county plans to put out the construction bid in February.
Architectural designs for the new library in Greenwood were completed about two years ago. The Sebastian County Quorum Court approved construction of the new library in 2021 to be located on Highway 10 Spur and U.S. Highway 71 in Greenwood on two acres donated by Jacob Burton. The city of Greenwood spent $180,000 to get water to the property.
Travis Bartlett with Fort Smith-based MAHG Architecture estimated in 2023 construction cost of the 10,400-square-foot facility at $4.3 million. Hotz said the library is a $5 million project, and construction would take “every bit of year.”
The library building at 18 N. Adair St. in Greenwood was built in 1965 and is 5,700 square feet and serves communities in Scott and Sebastian County. The new building will double the library’s space, said Rene Myers, Scott-Sebastian Regional Library director. In 2023, the library had more than 21,000 visitors and over 47,000 items in circulation. The library will feature separate areas for different age groups with doors that can be closed, Myers said.
“That way if there is a children’s storytime, it won’t bother the adults at the computers or who are reading newspapers or books,” she said.
Each area will also have access to a plaza area outdoors for outdoor reading.
“The children’s librarian could move story time outdoors. Or adults can go read a magazine or book outside,” Myers said.
The existing two-story building has no community room and is limited by space on activities it can hold. The building, which will all be one-story, will have sitting rooms and community room, Myers said.
“The patrons are very excited. We’ve worked on this for a long time,” Myers said. “It’s been something to see that big pile of rock moved. It was amazing to see it happen.”
Myers is hoping to see the new facility open in around 18 months.