A few nails needed to be straightened, but the sound of pounding hammers can now be heard at the site of the new Hoodland Library.

Only one company – Cherryville Construction –responded to the request for proposal, and according to Library Director Sarah McIntyre, the short delay was due to reducing the scope of work in order to
get the bid amount to come in at the amount it did. Work began on May 18.

Total cost is $176,642.40 and construction is anticipated to take 10 weeks.

“I’m really excited to say that the construction work started ... for the new
Hoodland Library,” McIntyre said. “Cherryville Construction is moving quickly

to try to give us as much time as possible to transition from the old space to
the new one.”

Subcontractors contributing to the construction include Bull Run Electric,
Sandy Décor, Commercial Interior Contractors, Airflow Engineering and
Morgan Heating.

The library will exit its space in the Hoodland Shopping Center and plans are
to open across the street, Aug. 1, in the Welches Mountain Center. According
to the latest concept drawing, the new library will boast 1,909 square feet of
space – up from the current footprint of 1,756 square feet.

The new site will feature continuous space utilizing additional breezeway and
restroom areas, bay windows, meeting and program rooms, and a naturally
landscaped wooded area in the rear.

The move from the old space to the new one is planned for July 26 to July 31,
and library staff is encouraging people to sign up to help with the move by
calling 503-622-3460 or stopping by the library.

“We are really excited about the new space,” McIntyre said. “Look for
information about a grand opening soon.”