Public unveiling scheduled for library plans

Sarasota County Public Works on Thursday, May 24 will meet with the public to present updates on the Gulf Gate Library project at St. Andrew United Church of Christ for the fourth of six scheduled open house.

During the two-hour meeting, which starts at 5 p.m., Public Works representatives will take questions about the projected floor plan and renderings of the interior and exterior of the two-story building.

Harvard Jolly Inc., the architecture firm overseeing the project, will unveil the preliminary concept at the meeting, said Sarasota County Libraries General Manager Sarabeth Kalajian.

Sarasota County is expected to finalize design plans by December this year and begin construction in early 2013. Funding for the $7.5 million building, which will house Gulf Gate Library in its third relocation since it was founded in 1973, will come from the penny surtax.

Kalajian said the architect’s design is heavily influenced by public comments generated at the previous two open houses, and will continue to be so as the design process progresses.

“It’s getting to the fun stage when people get to see their dreams inked on paper,” she said.

St. Andrew United Church of Christ is located at 6908 Beneva Rd., Sarasota. For more information on the project visit scgov.net.