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WOODLAND PARK – The township has awarded a $4.89 million construction contract to TNS Construction LLC of Stanhope to rebuild and renovate the Alfred H. Baumann Free Public Library.
After two previous unsuccessful attempts to award a contract, seven tenders were opened and the contract was awarded at the special meeting on 25 July.
County Administrator Sam Yodice said the two previous bids far exceeded the $5.2 million the county wanted to spend on construction. Even with the accepted bid, the project remains tight on budget.
“Unless there is a major design flaw or redesign is necessary, there will be no change orders,” Yodice said. “The contractor has been informed of this.”
The long-awaited library reconstruction and renovation project has been in the planning and funding phase since 2018. The district has budgeted approximately $5.8 million for the entire project, including non-construction-related costs.
Work is scheduled to begin in the fall and is expected to take about 18 months, officials said.
“We are very excited to finally begin construction,” said Mayor Tracy Kallert. “The current library building has served us well since 1979, but it is time for a major renovation to meet the evolving needs of our citizens.”
Last summer, the library moved into temporary premises at Berkeley College in anticipation of construction, which officials say has worked well.
When completed, the library will provide users with more space for books, computers and other resources, dedicated areas for children, teens and adults, flexible meeting and program spaces, and improved accessibility.
“This project would not have been possible without the commitment and support of countless individuals and organizations,” said Library Director Linda Hoffman.
Officials said if all goes according to plan, they look forward to welcoming visitors to the new and improved library in 2026.
