[MSN] A flood in the Boynton Beach City Library dampened not just the drywall and carpeting, but officials' spirits. It marked a setback in the already-delayed completion of the city's $7.3 million library renovation and expansion project.

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South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com
Boynton Beach library opening delayed because of water damage
$7.3 million renovation, expansion in Boynton facing yet another setback
By Erika Pesantes

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

November 21, 2007

Boynton Beach

 
A flood in the Boynton Beach City Library dampened not just the drywall and
carpeting, but officials' spirits. It marked a setback in the
already-delayed completion of the city's $7.3 million library renovation and
expansion project.

Someone left a water valve running Thursday afternoon, causing 2 to 3 inches
of flooding, said library director Craig Clark. He conducts a daily
inspection of the nearly finished library addition.

On Thursday, all was OK at the library after Clark's routine 4:30 p.m.
check, but about a half-hour later, water had pooled in the 35,800-square-
foot library addition at 208 S. Seacrest Blvd. The original building was not
affected and is still open to the public.

"It's disturbing to say the least, but you've got to be able to adapt to
these things," Mayor Jerry Taylor said Tuesday, wondering how someone was
able to get into the construction zone.

Surveillance cameras in the original library did not reveal how the water
was left running. No cameras have been installed in the new building. 

"It didn't capture any wrongdoing," Clark said.

There are no official cost estimates for the damage, which is still being
assessed, but it's "in the thousands," Clark said and includes ruined
drywall, tiles and carpet. Officials also evaluated the potential for mold
growth to reduce future problems.

The over-budget library project has been delayed by soaring construction
costs, problems with the civil engineering firm and unanticipated removal
and rerouting of power lines.

Sessoms Construction Co., of Hollywood, is building the library, which
includes addition of an 808-square-foot cafe. It was originally estimated to
cost $5.7 million in 2004. The new library was due to open this fall after
the existing building was renovated.

Project manager and public works director Jeff Livergood anticipates the
renovation of the existing building will now begin in February, with a grand
opening of the entire library in April.

Erika Pesantes can be reached at epesantes at sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6602.