Lafayette Public Library - South Regional Library

Back Way to South Library opens this week!

2009-07-13T10:30:00.002-05:00

From the City/Parish President's office -News Advisory

LAFAYETTE – Lafayette City-Parish President Joey Durel will be joined by other Lafayette Consolidated Government officials at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 16, 2009 for a ribbon cutting signaling the opening of the Duhon Road/Robley Drive Extension Phase II Project.

The ribbon cutting will be held on Duhon extension near Cobb Road.

Grand Opening - April 14th

2009-04-01T10:53:00.002-05:00

New Library

2009-03-27T10:26:00.005-05:00

We had 5 1/2 great years at our location in Time Plaza. Thanks to everyone for making the Southside Library such a success.

The South Regional Library (6101 Johnston St.) is open shortened hours until the Grand Opening (April 14th at 10 a.m.)

Schedule from Thursday, March 26th - Thursday, April 9th:

Monday - Friday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Closed from Good Friday through Easter Monday:
April 10th, April 11th, April 12th, April 13th

Reopening - GRAND OPENING: Tuesday, April 14th 10 a.m.

We've been busy

2009-03-05T14:20:00.004-06:00

Our Grand Opening has been set for Tuesday, April 14th at 10:00 a.m. - during National Library Week.

Staff is busy working inside - loading the shelves with books, DVDs, CDs and installing computers. Landscaping is in progress on the grounds.

Please enjoy this slideshow preview.

What's going on and when will we open?

2008-11-13T16:49:00.005-06:00

Our building is nearing completion. Construction should wrap up before Thanksgiving. Our furniture begins to arrive in December and installation happens in January. We will also begin moving in books, AV materials, and computers in January. We hope to open in February, so check this site in a few weeks for more information. Meanwhile, here are a few pictures from this week.

September 2008

2008-09-20T08:31:00.005-05:00

The month started with Gustav and continued with Ike. I'm happy to report that the facility withstood the winds and the rains. The rain that followed slowed down outside progress a bit, but much progress has been since August.

So when will we open? That seems to be the question everyone is asking. We anticipate the construction to be complete sometime in October and hope to accept the building in November. We will then spend time moving in furniture, computers, book collection and staff and hope to open early in 2009. The landscaping bids open this Tuesday (September 23rd).

The traffic signal at Johnston/Duhon (the library's intersection) is now operational and the road will be open by the time the library opens. (Currently you can access Duhon Road only to get to Giles Nissan/Volvo.)

Mike - the auditorium chairs were being installed on Friday. I hope you enjoy viewing those photos.

This photo show includes pictures from the monthly site meeting on September 9th and from a site visit on September 19th.

If the slideshow doesn't work on your browser, you can view the individual photos at
the Picasa Web site

August - week 2

2008-08-12T13:50:00.005-05:00

Carpeting has started. Progress continues on the interiors. Remaining outside work - some bricklaying, painting, and paving - is being done around the rains.

First week - August 2008

2008-08-07T12:51:00.005-05:00

Carpet, paint, wall coverings, millwork, glass, bricks... The various subcontractors are doing their part to make this a wonderful library for the Lafayette Parish community.

Landscaping will be bid out in August. The Furniture bids will open on August 12th. We are eager to see the finished product!

Enjoy the slideshow below from photos taken during the site visit of August 7th.

Summer 2008

2008-07-08T18:12:00.005-05:00

Interior and Exterior work on the South Regional Library continues during the summer. The construction is still on schedule for a Fall 2008 completion. Landscaping, furniture, technology, and collection will be added before the library opens.

Here's a photo and a slide show from today's site visit. Enjoy.

Exterior nearly complete

2008-05-27T08:46:00.006-05:00

Construction continues in May 2008. The Foundation was poured in Fall 2007. Construction should be complete by late Fall 2008. After construction is complete, we will move in furniture, equipment, and books. This process will take several months, and we are, barring any major delays, planning a late 2008 opening.

Library Board / Building Committee members and LCG Councilmen Bruce Conque (Library Liaison) and Keith Patin (District 8) viewed the construction progress this month.

A privacy fence will separate the Library and the neighboring Palms Subdivision. The Library Site will also be nicely landscaped. Enjoy these pictures from site visits during May.

April 2008 construction photos

2008-04-29T11:05:00.007-05:00

Enjoy this slideshow of pictures from the April 11th and April 24th site visits. Interior drywall has started to go up. Brick work is almost complete.

March

2008-03-15T14:10:00.008-05:00

Progress continues on the new library. We've had several heavy rain days, but we hope the building will be roofed, bricked, and with most of the windows in by the end of March or early April.

I heard on the radio the other day that all the road work causing one-lane and traffic delays around Johnston and Duhon was due to the library construction. While the road work, including the finishing of Duhon Road Extension from Johnston to Robley Drive (extension) will benefit everyone visiting the library, the road project is a separate project that was in the works before the site was purchased for the new library.

This is what the facility will look like from Duhon Road (the entrance).

This is what the facility will look like from Johnston St.

The Sellers Group is the architect. The contractor is JB Mouton.

The slideshow (taken last week) gives you a view of the interior progress. It was a challenge getting to and from the building in the mud so there are not many exterior shots. I hope to have some front exterior pictures soon. While the interior walls won't go up until the building is enclosed from the elements, the metal wall studs are up and the rooms are starting to take shape. We are planning to open by the end of 2008.

Pictures from January 2008

2008-02-04T15:33:00.000-06:00

Enjoy the slideshow of construction photos from January. Despite some rainy and cold days, progress continues, especially on the roofing and the exterior walls.

December 2007 - Steel, roof deck, exterior drywall

2007-12-13T22:09:00.000-06:00

The landscape at Johnston Street and Duhon Road begins to look a bit different!

Drying out finally?

2007-11-14T10:38:00.000-06:00

Steel and roof deck work continues during November. Exterior drywall work should begin soon.

Enjoy this slideshow of photos.

Mid-October

2007-10-24T15:02:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Mark Bergeron with The Sellers Group (our architects) for these recent photos of the steel going up on the site. With all the rain, it is still a little sloppy for a city girl like me to get shots like this. (I don't have the appropriate foot attire.)

The entrance (view from Duhon Road)

Two of the Teens space (view from Johnston St)

Children's storytelling room (view from Johnston St)

Steel

2007-10-12T14:32:00.000-05:00

The site wasn't as sloppy as it looked in this picture from Tuesday (Oct 9th). The steel framing continues. The schedule has been revised to account for the rain delays we faced in pouring the foundation. Construction should be complete by September of next year and, after moving in furniture, books, computers, and staff, we could be open by the end of 2008. We should have a more definitive move-in date after the building is enclosed. The facility is definitely worth the wait!

More concrete and steel

2007-10-04T11:46:00.000-05:00

The auditorium and meeting room area was poured this morning. The rest of the auditorium foundation will be done next week.

Some great views of the steel framing.

Steel and concrete

2007-10-03T13:47:00.000-05:00

Steel Framing goes up on the first portion of the foundation.

The auditorium is prepared for the concrete pour.

Slab preparation work continues at the public restroom area.

Pictures courtesy of Mark A. Bergeron, The Sellers Group

Work progresses

2007-09-21T14:45:00.000-05:00

The foundation is being poured in stages. The second pour took place today. The final pour will be the auditorium and meeting room corridor. See the end of this post for some video.

Steel is being erected on the portion of the building poured last month.

It poured ---

2007-08-13T18:33:00.000-05:00

Concrete! The first slab pour happened this morning. Although it was HOT, the dry weather has finally allowed us to make progress. The balance of the site is being prepped. Hopefully the weather will cooperate the rest of this month.

What's going on?

2007-07-17T13:20:00.001-05:00

We needed the rain, but it would be nice if the faucets could be turned off for about 4 weeks. The site is still being readied for a foundation - that is, in between bailing out water and waiting for the site to dry out.

The new Library will be worth the wait!

6 acres is BIG!

2007-05-08T15:36:00.000-05:00

Today I was struck by how large our new library will be. At 37,600 sq ft, it is approximately the size of both the 1st and 2nd floors of the Main Library - but all on one level. And you'll be amazed at everything we are fitting inside.

Here's a panorama I 'stitched' together using the software that came with my Canon Powershot.

Grade beam installation and rough-in for mechanical, plumbing, and electrical continues. This is on track, despite the recent heavy rains.

Our construction sign is up - making us official!

Marching on...

2007-03-29T09:34:00.000-05:00

Work continues readying the site for the foundation. This week, the foundation shafts are being drilled. Thanks to Adam Melancon on our staff for these photos and the panorama of the site (click on a photo to enlarge it).

So where, exactly, is it?

2007-03-06T09:43:00.000-06:00

Our neighbors to the South. The new Duhon Road Extension separates our property from Giles Volvo. We are closer to the Mall.

Our neighbors to the West. Johnston St. separates our property from this complex. The traffic signal will be relocated slightly south. This is part of the Duhon Road work project.

The traffic signal will be relocated to the Duhon Road extension and Johnston St. intersection. Library visitors will have access to the site from both Johnston St. and Duhon Rd. Once the road work is done, residents in the Broadmoor area can continue down the (extended) Robley Dr. and turn right on Duhon Rd. They will not need to get on Johnston St. to visit the Library.

Site work continues

2007-03-06T09:41:00.000-06:00

Pad work is about complete.

2007-02-25T21:13:00.000-06:00

Foundation prep work begins on our 6 acre site. Thanks to Adam and Larry for these pics.

Groundbreaking pics

2007-02-06T17:59:00.000-06:00

We were a little unconventional - holding our groundbreaking inside the existing Southside branch library where we knew we'd be warm and dry.

City-Parish President Joey Durel, a long-time library supporter, shares a few words of congratulations on the start of construction.

City-Parish Council President (and Councilman for District 8) Rob Stevenson makes a few remarks at the groundbreaking.

Library Board President Mark Tullos welcomes everyone.

Library Board and staff, City-Parish Government staff and elected officials, Library Friends, and Library users of Lafayette Parish listen to remarks before the ceremony.

It turned out to be a beautiful day in Lafayette so we went outside to turn some dirt. Thanks to our contractor JB Mouton for the washtubs of dirt from the new library site.

Refreshments were provided and served by our wonderful Friends of the Library.

No event is complete without great food, drink, and conversation.
Thanks to everyone for sharing this with us. In mid-2008, we'll get together again to celebrate our Grand Opening.

Groundbreaking ceremony

2007-01-25T14:28:00.000-06:00

The public is invited to join with us in celebrating the groundbreaking for the new South Regional Library. The groundbreaking will be on Tuesday, February 6th at 9 a.m. Due to weather uncertainties, we will be holding the event at our Southside Branch Library - 5417 Johnston St in the Time Plaza Shopping Center.

A reception will follow the ceremony. No registration required. Please contact us at 261-5781 for more information. We hope to see you there!

South Regional Library construction

2007-01-19T20:36:00.000-06:00

Exciting news - City/Parish President Joey Durel has signed the construction contract with the low bidder - JB Mouton, Inc. of Lafayette

Construction will begin in February 2007 and should be complete (weather permitting) in the 2nd half of 2008. More details later on the contents of the new facility which will sit on 6 acres of property at the intersection of Johnston St. and Duhon Rd Extension, adjacent to the Palms Subdivision.

Bid opening

2007-01-11T15:45:00.000-06:00

Bids were opened in December for the Construction of the South Regional Library. Two general contractors submitted bids. The low evaluated bid was within our budget. We are awaiting contract completion and expect to begin construction this Spring.

Final addendum

2006-12-07T17:07:00.000-06:00

Addendum #4, dealing with Builder's Risk Insurance deductibles as well as some miscellaneous technical and structural clarifications and several prior approvals, was issued on December 6, 2006.

Bids will be received until 3 p.m. on December 12, 2006 and will be opened shortly thereafter.

Bid Addenda

2006-12-04T17:20:00.000-06:00

Addendum #2 was issued on November 22nd and Addendum #3 was issued on November 30. copies are available from The Sellers Group (see previous post for contact info).

Receipt of bids and related bid opening has been postponed to Tuesday, December 12th 2006.

Updated bid info

2006-11-06T11:30:00.000-06:00

Notice to Bidders - Addendum # 1 Please contact The Sellers Group, 148B Easy Street, Lafayette, LA 70606 (337)232-0778 for additional information or view the addendum on the Lafayette Consolidated Government website

The receipt of bids has been postponed until Tuesday, December 5, 2006. The location and time remains unchanged. Sealed bids will be received ONLY in the office of the Purchasing Division at the Lafayette Consolidated Government Building, located at 705 W. University, Lafayette, Louisiana, until three o'clock (3:00 p.m.) Central Standard Time on the 5th day of December, 2006. Bids will be opened shortly thereafter.

The mandatory pre-bid conference will be conducted at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 15, 2006 in the large conference room at the Public Works Administration Building, 1515 E. University Avenue, Lafayette, LA. Bids will only be accepted from Prime Bidders who attend the mandatory Pre-Bid Conference.

Construction out for bid!

2006-10-17T07:10:00.000-05:00

The construction of the South Regional Library is now out for bid. Sealed bids will be received until 3:00 p.m. on November 14, 2006 in the Purchasing Division of the Lafayette Consolidated Government.

The complete Notice to Bidders is available from the Lafayette Consolidated Government's Purchasing Division and will be posted on the Government's website at http://www.lafayettegov.net/Finance/dpt050RFP.asp

Copies of plans and specifications are available at the office of The Sellers Group, A Professional Corporation, 148 B Easy Street, Lafayette, LA 70506 337-232-0778.

Status report

2006-06-01T17:08:00.000-05:00

May 2006: The Architect has submitted his CD set. Library and LCG staff and consultants are reviewing this. We are hopeful that the project will be bid in the summer.

South Regional

2006-01-01T17:11:00.000-06:00

The project architect is The Sellers Group - Eugene (Gene) M. Sellers, Jr., AIA, Architect. The Library is planned to be 36,000 sq ft, and will include a large meeting room, a smaller conference room, a 100-seat auditorium, and study rooms for groups of 2 - 4. The Library will house a book and a-v collection, a 14 workstation Technology lab, computers for public use, wireless Internet access for those bringing in their own laptops or PDAs, self-checkout capabilities, and a drive-thru window for returning books or picking up books on hold. The Library will also feature a themed children's department and separate children's storytelling room, an exciting teen space, family friendly restrooms, and a cafe/vending area. A quiet reading area is also in the plans.

Architect's rendering

2005-06-01T17:28:00.000-05:00

View from Johnston St.View from Duhon Road

We have Property!

2004-07-21T13:45:00.000-05:00

The new library will be located at 6101 Johnston St. - at the intersection of Johnston St. and Duhon Road Extension on a 6 acre site. Access to and from the site will be from Johnston St. and also from Duhon Road. Once Lafayette Consolidated Government's Robley/Duhon road project is completed, Broadmoor residents and others traveling from the Ambassador Caffery / Robley Dr. intersection will have access to the Library from Duhon Road via Robley.