Mason, MI

The City of Mason and Capital Area District Libraries (CADL) are partners in a project to renovate the historic library building in downtown Mason to better serve our community. 

In 2018-19 a Feasibility Study was conducted to determine what improvements need to be made to sustain & enhance CADL operations into the future.  We surveyed community members and held several public meetings resulting in design concepts available below. The renovations were divided into two phases. 

The City has selected East Arbor Architects from East Lansing to take the final concepts from the study and finalize them into construction drawings. They will assist the City and CADL in selecting contractors to begin work on Phase 1 renovations before the end of 2021.

  

The CIP is the proposed six-year budget for large capital expenses, of which the library renovation is included. A budget of $550,000 has been approved for Phase 1 Renovations. The City has committed $275,000 toward Phase 1 with the remainder of the funding coming from multiple sources including CADL, grants and private donations.  Phase 1 is not yet 100% fully funded. Phase 2 is tentatively planned for the 2025-26 pending available funding.  Phase 2 work is currently estimated at $850,000 with no identified funding source.  If you are interested in learning more about ways you can help support this important investment, please contact Deb Stuart, City Manager at info@mason.mi.us or 517-676-9155.

DOCUMENTS: 
2020 Final Design for Construction
Completed- Currently seeking grant funding! 

2018-18 Feasibility Study Documents
Facility Assessment
Public Meeting Summary
Concepts Prepared with Public Feedback

Phase I - Floor Plan, First Floor FINAL CONCEPT
Description:  Improvements to the first floor of the library building will be necessary to meet safety and accessibility requirements, and to improve utilization. Phase 1 work will result in a new front entrance with a ramp, two handicapped bathrooms on the first floor, interior renovation of the first floor to relocate the circulation desk, staff area, computers and materials, create a reading area centered around the fireplace, restore the fireplace to working condition (gas or water vapor), create an area for teens, relocation of children’s area to the east side of the building where it will be expanded into the garage, and expansion of space and creation of study/meeting rooms for public use. One of the new bathrooms will be accessible through the external door of the library. When the library is closed and the interior door is locked, the external door can remain open and the bathroom made available to the public.  All improvements will meet the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). (CIP Project # 2017-B5b)

Phase II - Floor Plan, First Floor FINAL CONCEPT
Phase II - Floor Plan, Lower Level FINAL CONCEPT
Phase II - Floor Plan, Second Floor FINAL CONCEPT
Description:   Phase 2 work will include the renovation of the basement to create community event space and related storage; first floor renovations to include a building addition to incorporate an elevator and space for the Friends of the Mason Library – Bookwork Heaven; second floor renovations for staff offices and tenant space (Ingham County Genealogical Society). All improvements will meet the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). (CIP Project # 2019-B6)

VIDEO of Phase 1 and 2 concepts

What do you think of the proposed plans?  Let us know here:

Name:

Address:

Address Line 2:

City or Town:

State or Province:

Zip or Postal Code:

Phone:

Email:

Comments: