The Impel Construction team, from left: Jason Lloyd, Donnie Wallis, Justin Hamlin, Kevin Haines.
Impel Construction has been chosen as the general contractor for the new Winthrop public library, Friends of the Winthrop Public Library (FOWL) announced this week.
FOWL is the nonprofit organization working to create, fund and build Winthrop’s new library. According to a press release, FOWL followed a months-long process that began with a request for qualifications. From those applicants, four firms were invited to respond to a request for proposal, FOWL said.
Those firms were evaluated on criteria including capability, experience, other commitments, price estimate, transparency and collaborative value, FOWL said. A final contract with Impel is expected in March.
“We were very impressed by Impel,” said Jill Sheley, FOWL’s executive director. “Their thoroughness, transparency and documentation of estimated costs, and especially their full dedication to our critical timeline were all essential to our choice.”
Sheley also noted that Impel has experience with public projects that adhere to prevailing wage and LEED environmental standards, which are requirements of the $2 million granted by the state toward the project, according to the release.
Impel has been active throughout the region, including in the Methow Valley, Chelan and Camano Island. The firm has an office in Stanwood and one at TwispWorks. Its construction team members live and work in the valley from Carlton to Mazama, according to the release.
“This library will fuel generations with inspiration and creativity and we value the opportunity to build this incredible community hub for the Methow Valley,” Impel owner Justin Hamlin said. “We are also excited to work with FOWL and its architectural team, and showcase our capacity for exceptional craftsmanship that this new library deserves.”
Groundbreaking for the new library is expected in early summer 2020, with opening scheduled for early 2022. The building is being designed by Johnston Associates and PBW Architects, and will replace the existing, cramped facility in Winthrop.
FOWL is raising private funds to build the new library. A $2 million state grant has been allocated for the project, currently estimated to cost about $5 million. The library will be built on a .81-acre parcel property purchased by the Town of Winthrop at the intersection of White Avenue and Norfolk Road. FOWL subsequently acquired private funds to purchase an adjacent .92-acre parcel to provide more room for parking and better traffic flow.
The 7,300-square-foot completed building will be turned over to the town of Winthrop. It will include community space that will be maintained by the town.
