Background/Discussion
The Council Bluffs Carnegie Free Public Library building was completed in 1905. A renovation to remove the North exterior stairs and replace doors was completed in 1953. The windows were changed in 1984 to better protect the building’s interior environment. The building was renovated in 2002 to improve accessibility of the facility and the Union Pacific Railroad Museum has occupied the building since May of 2003.
The current windows are deteriorated and the glazing is no longer properly sealed. The exterior doors are also in need of replacement or refinishing. Some doors will not open properly, and others require individuals to push from the exterior to get them closed. These items must be maintained in order to provide continued use of the facility.
This project includes the replacement of windows and doors on the North, East and South facades. On the West façade, the doors and the lower-level windows will be replaced at this time. This work will not include the replacement of the newer entrance doors on the lower level of the East side or the balcony doors on the North side, which will be refinished and sealed.
The repairs will allow for continued use of the building, increase security of the building and proper protection from exterior elements.
On February 24, 2025 the bid of Blackhawk Construction LLC in the amount of $364,674.00 was accepted by the City. During the course of construction, it was determined that the break metal around the windows was not included in the drawings and specifications to be replaced along with the windows. A change order for the project to include the break metal around the windows has been submitted in the amount of $24,574.99 for the additional material and labor needed to complete this work. The break metal is needed to maintain the weather tightness of the materials the windows are mounted to.
The revised cost of this project is $426,248.99 which includes an alternate, the change order for $24,574.99, and $37,000 for professional services provided by HGM Associates Inc. The alternate was added to establish the cost of new hardware on the exterior doors being replaced, existing hardware will be reused where possible.
The project was included in the FY25 CIP with funding from GO Bonds.