The Friendswood City Council selected local contractor Ardent Construction for the expansion and renovation of the city's public library at its March 2 meeting.

The city accepted bids through Feb. 17 and selected the Friendswood-based construction company, as its $2.29 million bid to complete the project was the lowest of the eight contractors that placed bids.

The project is expected to cost about $2.53 million, which includes an appropriation of more than $235,000 needed to account for the final bid and testing as well as for furnishings and equipment.

The project was part of the city's 2013 bond election and designs were completed shortly after, officials said.

The library will add 6,000 square feet to provide more space for meeting rooms and an expanded book selection, including additions to the children and young adult sections.

"The main component [of the project] is the meeting space for conferences and that type of thing," Friendswood Assistant City Manager Morad Kabiri said.

The library's additional room will also provide space for more computers. The project's plans include adding parking spaces as well, officials said.

Construction is expected to begin in mid-April, said Jeff Newpher, Friendswood communications specialist. The city and Ardent have an agreement to complete the project within 400 days of the start of construction.

"So much of that [timetable] is subject to weather and material [availability] and all that," Newpher said. "But [400 days] is a good estimate today."