Kaptur visits Fremont, tours Birchard Library addition/renovation project

Daniel Carson, Fremont News-Messenger
·3 min read
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FREMONT — A top federal official and one of the region's congressional representatives got a closeup look at Birchard Public Library's multimillion dollar addition/renovation project Friday.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small and U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-OH, visited Fremont to highlight $3.65 million in USDA Rural Development loan and grant funding to expand Birchard Public Library

Pam Hoesman, Birchard's director, and Mosser Construction officials led a tour of the under-construction addition area, as well parts of the existing library where renovations will take place.

Kaptur said the project would help Sandusky County with educational needs, as well as workforce development, health care and broadband communications.

She and Torres Small credited local leaders and library officials and board members with taking the initiative in securing USDA funding for the project and bringing a better future to Fremont.

Birchard's board of trustees selected Mosser Construction Inc. in June 2020 to perform construction manager at risk services for the Fremont main library addition and renovation project.

The library broke ground on the project in November.

Birchard Public Library's board approved a $6.17 million guaranteed maximum price amendment in June 2021 for the library's building addition and renovation project.

The board voted that month to use a $3.5 million USDA loan to finance the project.

Birchard is adding a 4,250-square-foot wing with a new entrance and parking lot on the west end of its current Fremont building.

The addition will extend across the street and into the library's western block, which is on the Croghan Street property that used to house the old Fremont Middle School building.

According to the library, the 8,500-square-foot library addition on the west side of the library will include:

  • A state-of-the-art technology training room to boost technology skills and introduce the work force to emerging technology and digital equipment innovations.

  • Spaces for learning to create sound and video productions to enhance marketing and entrepreneurial skills.

  • A Wi-Fi café where citizens can utilize tablets and other digital devices to connect to the world wide web.

  • A new children's room with dedicated space for early literacy development and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) activities designed to inspire active thinking and promote literacy.

  • A sensory room for children with special needs who need a space to regain calm.

  • Four tutoring rooms where students and teachers can work together to improve academic performance.

  • A dedicated teen room offering programs, services, and resources designed to engage young adults and assist them in making smart decisions which will affect their future.

  • Additional meeting rooms to encourage mind-expanding discussion of literature, the arts, and current events by a wide variety of local groups, organizations, and individuals.

  • A local history room and museum celebrating the history of Sandusky County.

  • A more spacious and easily accessible entry closer to handicap parking spaces.

  • ADA-compliant restrooms on all floors offering public services.

Hoesman said Friday the project was about two-thirds completed.

dacarson@gannett.com

419-334-1046

Twitter: @DanielCarson7

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Kaptur visits Fremont, tours Birchard Library project