WS Chronicle

Forsyth County commissioners have allocated left over Central Library construction funds to capital needs at other library branches, including renovations at Malloy/Jordan East Winston Heritage Center.

During their Thursday, April 26, meeting, commissioners appropriated $1,161,724 left over from the Central Library project, which was part of the 2010 library bond referendum. Two other new libraries were part of the bonds, both of which received additional funds for their current construction with the new Clemmons Library receiving $200,000 and the new Kernersville Library receiving $150,000. There was $400,000 allocated to debt service retirement and $411,724 devoted to capital needs at other branches, which is added to $300,000 previously allocated to those branches for a total of $711,724.

The Malloy/Jordan branch received the most with $147,424.  The most expensive renovations at the branch are $69,524 for new lighting, ceiling and paint along with $30,000 for restroom renovations including new fixtures and finishes. Other renovations include replacing carpet, the water heater, auditorium HVAC, cabinets, interior doors and locks along with sealing and striping the parking lot, renovating the entrances and new security cameras.

“It’ll make a remarkable difference,” said Commissioner Fleming El-Amin, who also serves on the Library Board of Directors.

Built in 1954 to serve the East Winston community, the 5,800 square foot building that houses the Malloy/Jordan branch is the oldest in the library system. The branch sees an estimated 50,000 visitors annually. Like most libraries, computers and internet access are a heavily used resources there. The branch also hosts many programs, like the Girls Who Code Club and other Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) programs for youth. It’s also where the county library system’s outreach department is located.

Malloy/Jordan Manager Wright Adams said the community has a real ownership of the branch. He said the renovations will be welcomed by the library’s many users.

“I think they’re really positive,” said Adams. “I think it’ll be good for the community.” 

For the rest of the branches, Rural Hall received the second highest amount with $141,500, Walkertown got $103,800, Reynolda got $98,000, Lewisville got $90,000, Southside got $66,000 and Carver got $65,000.

Also during the last week’s meeting:

• Commissioners gave their support to Forsyth Country Day School applying for a Public Finance Authority Educational Facilities Revenue Refunding Bond of up to $16.5 million. The county’s approval was required to apply for the bond, but it will not be a debt to the county in any way.

• Commissioners passed a resolution supporting dedicating the new Highway 158 bridge over the Northern Beltway after Winston-Salem Police Officer Stephen Amos II who was shot and killed in the line of duty in 1995.

• They also appropriated $4.47 million from a Clean Water State Revolving Loan to pay for a regional sewer lift station Forsyth County is building in conjunction with Davie County that will serve the Tanglewood Business Park being built on Idols Road.