2025 Lower Level Asbestos Abatement
In 2024, as part of Wilmette Public Library’s strategic plan and in accordance with policy, the library retained an architectural consultant to conduct a space needs assessment. Due to budgetary considerations, this assessment did not result in an immediately actionable renovation plan. As a result, staff focused instead on short-term, high-impact/low-cost solutions in some of the library’s under-utilized spaces to meet the current and emerging needs of our community. The first step in this process was to reorganize and consolidate the adult non-fiction collections on the south side of the lower level, allowing the northwest corner of the lower level North Room, formerly known as the 900s room, to be emptied and repurposed for future collections.
Asbestos Abatement
Like many facilities built in the early and mid-20th century, fire retardant asbestos-containing materials (ACM) were installed in various areas of the library as part of various early construction and renovations. In recent years, sections of ACM were subsequently professionally removed and/or abated as has been necessitated to safely renovate the building. Concurrent with the last substantial interior renovation in 2015-16, the library retained an environmental consultant who identified and assessed all remaining installed ACM in the building. None of the remaining ACM were listed as immediately accessible to the public. In several instances, however, if old carpeting were to be removed (and if floor tiles were damaged or removed in the process), some ACM may become exposed and professional removal/abatement will be necessary.
2025 Abatement Project
In order to prepare the North Room for future use, ACM abatement will need to take place. At approximately 3,000 square feet, the North Room is the oldest un-renovated space the library. Part of the renewal project for this room involves replacing the deteriorating carpeting, which was originally installed around rather than underneath shelving units. Once outdated shelves and carpeting have been removed, ACM tile and mastic below will be disturbed. Professional removal/abatement of this material will ensure the space is renewed and accessible for patron use in any future iteration of the room.
Solution and Scope
The library’s construction management team, Shales-McNutt, recommended Midwest Environmental Consulting Services (MEC) to perform the necessary project design, consulting, contractor bidding, project management, and air quality testing.
In March 2025, the board approved the proposal from MEC. Given the scope of work, the project required competitive bidding. MEC oversaw this process, having prepared the project’s materials for bid in late May.
The flexible timeline for this project allowed the library to perform the bid process well in advance of the work. This pre-planning ensured the most favorable pricing, and provided a long buffer to allow staff to complete contingent tasks on schedule before the work would begin.
Estimated Costs
As stated in the consulting proposal and bid package, the project’s scope of work includes abatement of approximately 3,300 SF of asbestos containing floor tile and mastic under the carpeting in the lower level 900s room and adjacent stairs and hallway. The estimated project costs include:
MEC Project Design & Contractor Bidding: $ 2,500.00
Estimated Asbestos Abatement Contractor Fees: $24,000.00 - $30,000.00
MEC Asbestos Project Management & Air Quality Testing: $10,400.00 - $13,000.00
Total Estimated Project Cost: $36,900.00 - $45,500.00*
*Estimated project costs include eight to ten (8-10) regular shifts on-site. No overtime, weekend or holiday time is included in the project cost, nor is it expected or considered necessary. Additional time or clearances required would be billed accordingly.
The scope of this project was included in the 2020 Capital Reserve Study, and is part of the FY25-26 Special Reserve Fund budget.
Bid Results and Contractor Award
On June 25, 2025, MEC and the library conducted the bid opening. As a requirement of the bid process, only those contractors who participated in the mandatory project orientation on June 18 would be eligible in the selection process. Three contractors attended the June 18 walk-through, and two of those contractors submitted qualified bids.
MEC conducted a review of the lowest responsible bidder and recommended that the board award the contract to Kinsale Contracting Group, who bid the project at $32,700.00.
The board approved the bid package from Kinsale at the July 15, 2025 board meeting.
Timeline and Project Details
Following notification of the contract award, MEC engaged with Kinsale and proceeded with planning and procurement of site resources.
The project work will begin the week of September 8 and reach substantial completion by September 19. The work is expected to be completed in 8-10 working days, and will be performed during regular library business hours (primarily second shift afternoon/evening hours) and will not require building closure.
As the North Room is isolated and will be empty, the only service affected by this work is the operations of the Friends of the Library bookstore (Books Down Under), which is served by the adjacent hallway. The Friends have asked the public to pause all material donations from September 1 through October 30, and the bookstore itself will be closed from September 8 through at least October 10.
When the abatement project is complete, the walls in the corridor and North Room will be painted, and the floors will then be ready for new carpeting.
We expect the total cost of this planned building improvement project to be $60,000 - $70,000, as originally proposed in March 2025.
Outcomes & Next Steps
Following substantial completion of the above project, the library’s concurrent Collection Revitalization Project can proceed.
This project aims to align collections with spaces and usage patterns, promote in-demand collections, update furnishings, facilitate staff workflows, and improve the overall patron experience in these spaces. Key elements:
- Activation of the northwest corner of the building (lower level North Room and current first floor Media Room)
- Replacement of carpeting
- Reorganization and replacement of stack and display shelving
- Implementation of new collection merchandising
- Relocation of patron holds to the circulation lobby
Staff planning is underway with furnishing partners, with details and proposals to follow later this fall/winter. This Special Reserve Fund-eligible project is estimated to total less than $250,000.