Starting on Wednesday, February 19 installation of terrazzo on the Rochester Hills Public Library’s main staircase will begin. The project should be complete by Friday, March 7. While the construction work is done, the public will be required to use the elevator to get to the second floor.
“We’ve had carpet on the stairs for the past 22 years and have had to replace it every 5 years or so,” said library director Christine Lind Hage. “With about 2,200 people per day visiting the library and using the stairs the carpet gets dirty and wears out quickly.” Doug Tull, President of the library board said that “After looking at a variety of options including new carpet, various tile products and terrazzo the library board decided to go with the terrazzo because of its durability, easy maintenance and cost effectiveness.”
Terrazzo is a composite made of quartz, granite, marble and a cement-like material that is poured, cured and then ground and polished to a smooth surface. Terrazzo is the material that is used throughout the McNamara Terminal at Metro Airport. Typically it is used in heavily trafficked areas and has a life expectancy of 90 or more years.
Workers will be in the library starting Wednesday, February 19 through Friday, March 7. The landings are constructed onsite, while the treads and risers have been pre-fabricated off site. The stairs will be inaccessible while the onsite work is done.
The Rochester Hills Public Library is located in downtown Rochester off of University Drive and three blocks east of Main Street. The Library is open from 9 – 9 Monday through Thursday and 9 – 6 on Fridays and Saturdays. The Library’s website (www.rhpl.org) has information on how to register for a card and access all the Library’s services.