Library Approves $14,700 for Reading Room Architectural Services

Article Summary: The Frankfort Public Library board has approved a $14,700 proposal from StudioGC for architectural services for its long-planned reading room project, moving the renovation forward after it was previously tabled due to high engineering costs.

Reading Room Project Key Points:

• The board approved a $14,700 contract with the architectural firm StudioGC.

• The project was previously put on hold after an initial proposal included unexpectedly high engineering fees.

• The library’s owner’s representative determined the new, lower fee was reasonable.

The Frankfort Public Library’s reading room project is back on track after the Board of Trustees on Thursday, August 28, 2025, approved a $14,700 proposal for architectural services from the firm StudioGC.

The project had been tabled at the July meeting after StudioGC’s initial proposal came in much higher than expected, a cost increase the firm attributed to high bids from engineers. At that time, the board asked Library Director Amanda Kowalcze to have StudioGC seek more competitive engineering proposals.

During Thursday’s meeting, the board reviewed the revised, lower-cost proposal. Kowalcze reported that she had discussed the new proposal with Dan Eallonardo, the library’s owner’s representative, who determined that the $14,700 amount was reasonable. According to the minutes, Eallonardo noted it would be difficult to find a lower design fee and offered his services to help solicit construction bids from architects for the work.

Trustees asked Kowalcze to communicate their feedback to StudioGC regarding the significantly higher original proposal.

The motion to approve the architectural services was made by Trustee Otway and seconded by Trustee Faris. It passed by a unanimous roll-call vote.