HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The Christian County Fiscal Court approved several resolutions Tuesday morning to allow the Hopkinsville Library to move forward with their ADA compliant renovations. The library will be receiving a federal grant of $480,000 to make appropriate improvements to the restrooms and elevator to make the building more handicap accessible.

Amy Frogue, the Director of Community and Economic Development at the Pennyrile Area development district, told Christian County Now that the grant application process has been in the works for almost two years. The grant will cover the demolition and structural work that will go into the elevator installation, with the elevator itself costing around $100,000. HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work for the new restrooms will be covered by the remaining funds.

The library already has a renovation in the works with the goal of moving the children’s department upstairs, and although these projects will likely happen simultaneously, the funding is separate.

Grant process

Magistrate Russ Guffey pointed out this project had been brought up in court before, and construction bids were previously opened. Frouge explained during the meeting that there is a certain process with federal grants that was not correctly done the first time around. They took bids before they went through contract documents with the local government, which would have incurred costs. Because of this, the bids were released and the process began again.

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During the Fiscal Court meeting, they received the required evidentiary materials to release the funds and begin the project. Frogue said the bidding process takes about 30 days, so the best case scenario has construction starting within 60 days.

Along with the resolution to move forward with the project, several other resolutions including CBDG Fair Housing, and approval of Grievance Procedure Alleged Discrimination Agreement occurred in conjunction with the funding. Judge Executive Jerry Gilliam clarified that these additional items were included to make sure everything remains fair.

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