Demolition of the hurricane-damaged Evelyn Meador Branch Library could start as soon as this week so work can begin on a $6.26 million library scheduled to open in April 2011.
The old library at 2400 N. Meyer Road in Seabrook has been closed since it received 1½ to 2 inches of water during Hurricane Ike in September 2008.
Before the storm, Harris County had already planned for construction of a 20,000-square foot replacement facility and to keep open the existing 7,200-square-foot existing library until the new library was built.
But the existing library was so heavily damaged by Ike that the county decided not to make repairs.
The county expects construction to begin Feb. 15 and take about a year, according to a letter sent to Seabrook Mayor Gary Renola by Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Sylvia Garcia.
The project’s contractor is Teal Building and Construction, Ltd.
“We’re very excited,” said Linda Stevens, coordinator of marketing and programming for Harris County Public Library.
“It’s made it even more exciting to bring it to the community since they’ve been without now for over a year.”
Stevens praised the area’s residents for their resolve and dedication to Evelyn Meador Branch Library.
“They’ve been very patient,” she said.
With Harris County planning to make cuts for its 2011-12 budget because of sluggish property taxes, Renola said he’s glad that the new Evelyn Meador Branch Library is already funded.
“We’re really fortunate,” Renola said.
“We’re anxious to get it going.”