Brandon Regional Library Parking Lot To Be Improved; Construction To Begin January 2013

The front part of the parking lot of the Brandon Regional Library, which is located in the Sandy Rodriguez Center at 619 Vonderburg Drive (just west of Parsons Avenue), will undergo major improvements beginning in January 2013. These improvements to the library, which ranks fourth in monthly circulation of materials and third in number of in-person visits among all branches in the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System, will provide the following benefits to library customers:

• The main entry drive will be re-graded, lowering the incline, to improve access and safety.
• Six new parking spaces will be added in front of the library.
• The front portion of the lot will be re-striped and new traffic control signs will be installed to improve traffic flow and safety.
• Concrete steps at Vonderburg Drive will be eliminated and pedestrians will be directed toward the existing ADA accessible ramp to provide a safer foot path through the parking lot.
• An additional, right-turn only, exit onto Vonderburg Drive will be created to improve egress and traffic flow.

Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association, Inc. is co-located with the Brandon Regional Library, so their patrons will also benefit from this effort.

“High quality service for citizens is our top priority and this project will greatly improve patrons’ experience at this facility,” said Mike Merrill, Hillsborough County Administrator. “Access will be changing as this 30-45 day project progresses; so we’re asking for the community’s patience while we work to make these enhancements.”

 What To Expect During Construction

• The library will maintain its regular hours of operation throughout construction: Monday – Wednesday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; and Sunday 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
• Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association will keep its normal hours during this project: Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The parking lot will remain accessible throughout construction, although traffic patterns will be redirected at times, and some parking spaces at the front of the building may be restricted for safety.
• A temporary two lane entry drive will be installed for use while the main driveway is under reconstruction. The temporary drive will be right turn only; there will be no left turns into or out of the parking lot from Vonderburg Drive.
• Additional public parking for library users is available in the unpaved lot in Clayton Park, adjacent to the ball field at the end of Bowing Oak Drive. Library patrons are advised not to park in the lots of neighboring businesses, who may enforce towing policies. 
• Access to drive-up book drops will be limited during construction, but walk-up access will be available at all times.

Project Timeline

         Work Order issued on Oct. 19, 2012

         Notice to Proceed on Jan. 2, 2013

         Substantial Completion by Jan. 31, 2013

         Final Completion by Feb. 15, 2013

Project Funding

The project has been designed and engineered by LaRosa Civil Design Inc., and will be constructed at a cost of $69,715 by Walbridge Aldinger Company. The project is part of the County’s Repair, Replacement, Renovation and Maintenance (R3M) Program, which is generally funded through ad valorem taxes. However, funding for this particular R3M project comes from the library district tax.

For project questions or additional information, visit http://bit.ly/BRDlot or call 813-635-5400.

Additional assistance with library services is available at hcplc.org or by calling 813-273-3652. Customers may also choose to visit any Hillsborough County public library, including neighboring libraries such as:
Bloomingdale Regional Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico
Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 N. Kingsway Road in Seffner
Riverview Branch Library, 10509 Riverview Drive in Riverview
78th Street Community Library, 7625 Palm River Road in Tampa

For information about Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association, Inc., call 813-685-8888.