Marra Construction have been handed the reins for designing and building the new $3.3million Greerton Library.

Tauranga City Council announced the appointment today, which will see construction begin in June or July ahead of an expected finish date of March 2016.

Greerton Library. Photo: File.

Council approved $3.45 million of funding for a 900m2 building – double the size of the present library – in its Annual Plan 2014/15.

Since then, council has applied to the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board for funds to extend the new library by 150m2, to incorporate a community centre. A decision on the grant is expected in May and will not delay the completion of the new library.

The Marra contract, worth $2.7m, was signed yesterday, following registration of interest in June 2014 and a pre-qualified tender process.

Council will now work with Marra on the design of the building. The total project cost is expected to be $3.3m.

The new library will be a modern, contemporary building with large portions of glass allowing natural light into the building. It will be a stimulating and attractive space, with clear connections between the library and the outdoor public spaces.

Council purchased land at 137A Greerton Road, currently tenanted by Greerton Plunket, and 137B Greerton Road to use for potential library redevelopment. However, the new library development will not use this commercial-zoned land so it is being sold.

The two titles, totalling 1014m2, have a combined capital value of $509,000. Colliers International has been appointed to market the properties, which are for sale by deadline private treaty, closing at 4pm on March 19.

Greerton Plunket's lease expires in March 2016 and the purchaser would be legally obliged to retain Greerton Plunket as a tenant until then.