Great Neck Library officials announced Friday the re-opening of the library’s Main Branch would be delayed by at least 30 days because of an issue with Verizon’s installation of working telephone lines.
“We find ourselves with a significant dilemma which is beyond our control,” Great Neck Library Board President Marietta DiCamillo said. “The Board of Trustees will review possible options to get past this hurdle.”
Working telephone lines are required for life safety devices like the fire alarm panel and emergency telephone line, officials said, which are necessary for the library to pass inspections and receive a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy.
The Main Branch closed for renovations to the building’s interior and infrastructure on Oct. 29, 2014.
The project was expected to be completed in about a year from the closing date, but a strike by construction workers and several updated construction plans pushed the opening date to May 31 this year.
“It’s a setback,” Library Executive Director Kathy Giotsas said. “We were on schedule when the strike occurred and were notified by Verizon that our work would not resume before June 1, 2016.”
Officials said the TCO was necessary for the library to reinstall computers and communication devices into the building, which are currently sitting in a temporary trailer.
The TCO is also required to move shelving and furniture, officials said, so construction company VRD could complete interior work to the building.
Officials also said final construction would be completed by the anticipated May 31 date, but the Main Branch’s opening would be delayed until Verizon installs working telephone lines.
While officials said they are expecting an additional 30 days until its opening, they said that date is “subject to change” if any additional work is needed that would cause a delay of receiving the TCO.
“It’s frustrating to be so close to completion only to be stopped by an issue we can’t easily resolve,” Great Neck Library Relocation Committee member Marianna Wohlgemuth said.
Library trustees unanimously approved design plans for the renovation of the Main Branch for work on the interior of the building, which includes renovations to the library’s reading rooms, office spaces, bathrooms, community rooms and other areas.
Renovations of the Main Branch also included a new roof, insulated windows, a revamp of the building’s HVAC system and new lighting.
Residents of the Great Neck Library system approved the bond in a November 2013 referendum.
