Work is under way to replace the roof and complete other amenities of the Charles W. Turnbull Regional Library, which opened in 2013, seven years after ground was broken on the project, Public Works Commissioner Darryl A. Smalls said in a news release Tuesday.
“The work began on July 17 and is being coordinated by the Department of Public Works in collaboration with the Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority and the Department of Planning and Natural Resources," Smalls said.
Along with the roof repair, the work on St. Thomas library includes adding a photovoltaic system and perimeter fencing.
"This additional work was not included in the original scope of work when the library was designed and constructed. These items are required to complete the final phase of the library so the entire facility can be opened to the public,” Smalls said.
The commissioner expects the work to be completed by the end of the calendar year. It was approved July 2 by the V.I. Public Finance Authority at a board meeting. Balbo Construction Corporation will bear the cost of the roof replacement. The roof replacement is necessary to correct a faulty installation of the original roof structure.
The Department of Public Works broke ground on the $22 million project in 2006. It opened for limited use in June 2013. Since then, the library has dealt with Occupational Safety and Health Administration citations concerning a leak in the library’s air conditioning system and problems with the roof expanding and contracting.
