(July 21, 2016) Two major new construction projects saw progress last week, as the Berlin Planning Commission approved site plans for a new Atlantic General Hospital Cancer Center and a new library.
The 18,000 square-foot cancer center will be built near the intersection of Route 113 and Old Ocean City Boulevard. A 38,000-square foot building could also go on that site in the future, although plans for that were not part of the discussion.
“AGH thinks there is a strong need for cancer care in the community,” attorney Hugh Cropper said. He added that the single-story building was designed to “try to keep those folks from having to go up stairs or elevators.”
Planning Director Dave Engelhart said a recent traffic study related to the center was still under review, but that the biggest impact would likely be experienced during employee shift changes.
Groundbreaking is scheduled for July 2017 with a completion date of March 2018.
As for the library, its approval generated only light discussion, as the commission got an extensive preview of the new Worcester County branch plans at a meeting in May.
Commission member Ron Casio, who is the president of the Worcester County Library board of trustees, recused himself during the meeting to speak on behalf of the project.
Casio said funding for the project has come from several sources. Worcester County initially budgeted $2 million for the project, part of which was used to buy the land. The library received about $1 million from the state during fiscal year 2016, $700,000 during fiscal year 2017, and hopes to get another $1 million during fiscal year 2018.
The Humphreys Foundation and the town of Berlin have also provided grants.
According to an information sheet provided by the Worcester County Library Foundation, the 11,500 square-foot building will go on Harrison Avenue, adjacent to the Waystead Inn, and include community meeting and performance spaces, an interactive learning area for children, and more public computers and space for laptops and wireless devices.
Designed by architect Jeff Schoellkopf, the “high performance building” would consume less energy and be more cost-effective to operate and maintain than the current library.
Engelhart said the town had meetings with Casio and officials from Berlin electric and public works that had all been positive.
“They all seem to be happy with the placement of the building,” he said. “And we’re excited about some extra parking around … department heads and the town in general are behind it all the way.”
Casio said construction was expected to start in spring 2017.
The 18,000 square-foot cancer center will be built near the intersection of Route 113 and Old Ocean City Boulevard. A 38,000-square foot building could also go on that site in the future, although plans for that were not part of the discussion.
“AGH thinks there is a strong need for cancer care in the community,” attorney Hugh Cropper said. He added that the single-story building was designed to “try to keep those folks from having to go up stairs or elevators.”
Planning Director Dave Engelhart said a recent traffic study related to the center was still under review, but that the biggest impact would likely be experienced during employee shift changes.
Groundbreaking is scheduled for July 2017 with a completion date of March 2018.
As for the library, its approval generated only light discussion, as the commission got an extensive preview of the new Worcester County branch plans at a meeting in May.
Commission member Ron Casio, who is the president of the Worcester County Library board of trustees, recused himself during the meeting to speak on behalf of the project.
Casio said funding for the project has come from several sources. Worcester County initially budgeted $2 million for the project, part of which was used to buy the land. The library received about $1 million from the state during fiscal year 2016, $700,000 during fiscal year 2017, and hopes to get another $1 million during fiscal year 2018.
The Humphreys Foundation and the town of Berlin have also provided grants.
According to an information sheet provided by the Worcester County Library Foundation, the 11,500 square-foot building will go on Harrison Avenue, adjacent to the Waystead Inn, and include community meeting and performance spaces, an interactive learning area for children, and more public computers and space for laptops and wireless devices.
Designed by architect Jeff Schoellkopf, the “high performance building” would consume less energy and be more cost-effective to operate and maintain than the current library.
Engelhart said the town had meetings with Casio and officials from Berlin electric and public works that had all been positive.
“They all seem to be happy with the placement of the building,” he said. “And we’re excited about some extra parking around … department heads and the town in general are behind it all the way.”
Casio said construction was expected to start in spring 2017.