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While the Dansville Public Library recently celebrated the opening of its long-awaited addition, the full extent of Cohocton’s library expansion is yet to be realized.
The southeast corner of its exterior wall collapsed June 13, just a day prior to the library’s anticipated opening date. No one knows for sure why the collapse occurred, Hope Decker, Cohocton Library director said.
The library, which had formerly occupied the Larrowe carriage house, took possession and moved into a two-story, recently vacated Maple Avenue building this past spring. Decker said prior to opening, a number of construction saavy people – Ron Lindsey (contractor), Shana Williams (architect), Tom Fraser (structural engineer) and Bob Michielsen (building inspector/code enforcement officer) had looked over the facility, and had not expressed any concerns about the condition of the wall.
Decker said Lindsey worked for two weeks in May building structural supports in the basement, enclosing stairways and other work to the building; and Bill Griffin performed some minor construction work, after which the library received a certificate of occupancy on June 10. It then moved into its new space, with the anticipation to open on June 14.
The interior room where the collapse occured is planned to be used as a children’s area, plus an adult non-fiction and geneological research room.
Since the collapse, the room has been sealed off, with hopes to get it back in shape again. Estimated costs to fully repair the collapsed corner – from the foundation to the roof – has come in at around $100,000.
The library contracted Bill Griffin to shore up the interior corner walls, but the library has been at odds with its insurance agency, Shortsville-based Ontario Insurance, over footing the bill for the full repair.
On June 14, the library made a claim with Ontario Insurance through Mitchell-Joseph Agency in Naples. According to Decker, Ontario sent Peter Van Allen from Hunt Engineers to inspect the damage.
On July 7, the day after the library opened its doors to the public, the claim was denied due to poor maintenance and wear and tear on the building.
Bill Auten, vice president of claims for Ontario, wasn’t willing to discuss the matter when called.
The library disagrees with the agency, and is currently seeking legal advice.
“We purchased the building and improved it so our community can benefit from a new and improved library where we can provide more services. We at no time were negligent and would not put any of our community members at risk in an unsafe building. We purchased the insurance in good faith and expected our claim would be paid,” Decker said.
The library had owned the building for three months prior to the collapse.
While the Dansville Public Library recently celebrated the opening of its long-awaited addition, the full extent of Cohocton’s library expansion is yet to be realized.
The southeast corner of its exterior wall collapsed June 13, just a day prior to the library’s anticipated opening date. No one knows for sure why the collapse occurred, Hope Decker, Cohocton Library director said.
The library, which had formerly occupied the Larrowe carriage house, took possession and moved into a two-story, recently vacated Maple Avenue building this past spring. Decker said prior to opening, a number of construction saavy people – Ron Lindsey (contractor), Shana Williams (architect), Tom Fraser (structural engineer) and Bob Michielsen (building inspector/code enforcement officer) had looked over the facility, and had not expressed any concerns about the condition of the wall.
Decker said Lindsey worked for two weeks in May building structural supports in the basement, enclosing stairways and other work to the building; and Bill Griffin performed some minor construction work, after which the library received a certificate of occupancy on June 10. It then moved into its new space, with the anticipation to open on June 14.
The interior room where the collapse occured is planned to be used as a children’s area, plus an adult non-fiction and geneological research room.
Since the collapse, the room has been sealed off, with hopes to get it back in shape again. Estimated costs to fully repair the collapsed corner – from the foundation to the roof – has come in at around $100,000.
The library contracted Bill Griffin to shore up the interior corner walls, but the library has been at odds with its insurance agency, Shortsville-based Ontario Insurance, over footing the bill for the full repair.
On June 14, the library made a claim with Ontario Insurance through Mitchell-Joseph Agency in Naples. According to Decker, Ontario sent Peter Van Allen from Hunt Engineers to inspect the damage.
On July 7, the day after the library opened its doors to the public, the claim was denied due to poor maintenance and wear and tear on the building.
Bill Auten, vice president of claims for Ontario, wasn’t willing to discuss the matter when called.
The library disagrees with the agency, and is currently seeking legal advice.
“We purchased the building and improved it so our community can benefit from a new and improved library where we can provide more services. We at no time were negligent and would not put any of our community members at risk in an unsafe building. We purchased the insurance in good faith and expected our claim would be paid,” Decker said.
The library had owned the building for three months prior to the collapse.
