Gulf Gate Library receives commission's blessing

If there’s one thing Sarasota County Commissioner Jon Thaxton will be remembered for after he vacates his District 5 seat to run for Supervisor of Elections, it’s his attention to detail.

That was on display Tuesday, June 26, when Sarasota County Library System Director Sarabeth Kalajian asked the commission for a consensus on the design chosen for Gulf Gate Library.

He pointed out that the burnt-orange color picked for some of the paint seemed different and identified plant species in the drawings. Harvard Jolly Executive Vice President Ward Friszolowski said they used a different printer for these renderings, which drew chuckles from attendees.

Good spirits continued as Sarasota County commissioners voted unanimously for Sarasota County Public Works to move forward with the library project after seeing the initial design concept.

Kalajian and representatives from Harvard Jolly Inc., the architecture firm overseeing the design, took questions from commissioners regarding renderings of the new Gulf Gate Library.

Commissioner Nora Patterson had some concerns about the lack of shady areas on the exterior and the potential costs of maintaining a structure with such a modern design. “This is Florida, and it’s hot,” she said.

But commissioners came to a consensus in support of the project renderings and applauded the public involvement stakeholders have fostered.

There will be a public meeting Aug. 9, to reveal interior fixtures and finishes, Kalajian said. Sarasota County will decide on a final design in January 2013 with construction starting the following month. A grand opening is scheduled for May 2014.

Patterson questioned Kalajian about the timeline, asking if there was any chance that they could expedite the project.

“One of the issues, of course, is that (Gulf Gate Library) is so heavily used that a temporary facility, no matter how well done, is still (not going to be the same),” she said. “May 2013 sounds great but earlier is better.”

The county already has a little more than $3 million appropriated for the $10 million project and the remaining amount earmarked in the 2013 fiscal year budget.

Project timeline
October 2007 — Design process started
January 2013 — Final design selected
February 2013 — Construction starts
April 2014 — Construction complete
May 2014 — Grand opening