PBC Awards Contract For New Oriole Park Library

A new Chicago Public Library branch in Oriole Park will be built by HLF Construction Company under a $4.4 million contract approved today by the Public Building Commission of Chicago (PBC).

Awarding of the contract follows City Council approval of a quit-claim deed that allows the Chicago Board of Education to transfer a site at 7454 West Balmoral Avenue to the city for the new library. Plans call for a 14,000-square-foot branch facility to replace the current storefront library at 5201 North Oketo Avenue, officials said. The one-story branch would be about six times the size of the present storefront library.

The new Oriole Park Library will feature a comprehensive collection of materials for adults, teens and children, officials said, including Internet access, more than 40 electronic databases, books on tape, newspapers and periodicals. A community room and expanded parking also are planned, and the library will be fully accessible to people with disabilities.

Under terms of the contract, HLF Construction has committed to a 28 percent level of participation in the project by Minority Business Enterprises, 5 percent participation by Women Business Enterprises, officials said.

Other actions taken Tuesday by the PBC Board, including the appointment of architects and owner’s representatives, are listed on the PBC’s web site at www.pbcchicago.com.