By Andy Dahn

BLOOMINGTON – The fourth time was the charm for the Bloomington Public Library Board.

After three previous tie votes, the board voted to use the Farnsworth Group of Bloomington architecture firm to assist with future library expansion. Board president Carol Koos described her feelings after finally choosing a firm.

“I’m very gratified,” Koos said. “I’m just very happy that we finally got to a point where we could make a decision and I’m confident that we picked a good firm.”

Koos said the choice was a difficult one, but the board made the right choice.

“Both of them were great firms and I think that was the problem,” said Koos. “But I just felt that the Farnsworth Group had a very good grasp of the project. I liked their presentation. They brought a broad group of people and it was very well rounded.”

Farnsworth Group beat out Nagle Hartray of Chicago for the task of developing land near the library for expansion. Board secretary Emily Kelahan said while the Nagle Hartray firm of Chicago was her first choice, she’s optimistic about what the Farnsworth Group can bring to the table.

“I think both firms did an excellent job of meeting the criteria we set forth,” Kelahan said. “For me, Nagle Hartray offered some outside-of- the-box design work that I found attractive. But I think both are very solid and professional firms.”

Koos and other board members will now negotiate contract terms and overall cost of the expansion with the Bloomington based group.

Andy Dahn can be reached at [email protected].