Great Neck Library trustees voted to “draw a line in the sand” over lingering issues with heating, ventilation and air conditioning in the Main Library at a special board meeting on Tuesday night, hoping to bring resolution to the issue.
Robert Schaufeld, president of the Great Neck Library Board of Trustees, said the trustees have asked their contractor to alleviate issues with the HVAC system’s “overall functionality” and noise levels.
But while the contractor has brought in subcontractors and engineers while attempting to fix the problems, Schaufeld said that “as of today there is no satisfactory resolution.”
“Our board resolution was to draw a line in the sand that if we don’t have a significant resolution resolving the issues by Sept. 12, then we’re going to put it into the hands of our attorneys to take whatever action is appropriate,” he said.
The Great Neck Library had contracted KG&D Architects to oversee renovating the Main Library on Bayview Avenue. The work closed the library from October 2014 to fall 2016.
But issues with the HVAC system have been a consistent topic in Main Building Committee meetings since at least November last year, according to meeting minutes, with members remaining in contact with KG&D Architects.
In a December 2017 meeting, representatives from the company noted that there were some issues with the HVAC system, such as defective units from Addison HVAC, a Florida-based company, improper duct installation and issues with other affiliated parties.
The committee ultimately recommended “after much discussion” at an Aug. 13 meeting that there should be a resolution stating that if the issue is not resolved by a certain date, “litigation will be pursued.”
It is unclear whether or not a suit would target just the contractor or include subcontractors.
In unrelated library business, trustees adopted a sustainability pledge for the Great Neck Library system, approved an additional RFID gate for the Station branch library for $2,972.54, and told a resident that the library plans to add more Chinese-language books.
Representatives from KG&D Architects were not available for comment on the HVAC issues and possible legal action on Wednesday.
