« South Plainfield library won't be moving to Montrose Avenue | Main | Libraries plan to cut hours »

June 13, 2010

Residents speak out on library expansion plans

htp://www.courierpostonline.com
By JULIA HAYS • Courier-Post Staff • June 11, 2010

As Haddonfield officials weighed plans for expanding the borough's library on Wednesday, a consultant offered proposals for the project and the public was able to comment, though no consensus has been reached.

Proposals were submitted for 7,500- and 15,000-square-foot additions at the existing facility, which also would be made compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Anthony Iovino, a project consultant for the borough with Bergen-based Acari and Iovino, estimated the smaller expansion would cost $5.3 million, while the larger would run $7.8 million. He said a third proposal, for a new library on Allen Avenue, would cost about $6.5 million.

Resident David Hunter said he felt that the proposal to build a new library on Allen Avenue was not discussed enough at the forum.
"We need to present the community with something they can get excited about," said Hunter. "This is a site that could be modern and used for years."

Hunter said he is encouraging residents to attend a gathering he is organizing at the Allen Avenue site at 4 p.m. Sunday to view the space and discuss the issue.
Another resident, Joan Welsh, said she is glad the decision for expansion or a new site will receive a public referendum as soon as November 2011.

"This town is hemorrhaging taxes. We can't keep spending," said Welsh. "I'm glad we can vote on this, because we need to do the smallest improvements to the building and stop spending millions in this town."

Stuart Harting, who also lives in the borough, said a new building at a different site would allow more space, more parking and an opportunity to build an eco-friendly library.
"It's a technology center and a community meeting place," said Harting. "We can then sell the existing building for funds."

Buntzie Churchill, of the library's architectural committee, said the committee recommended the 7,500-square-foot expansion because it would bring the building up to ADA standards, while still adding some more space to the building. She said the smaller addition makes it easier to rally public support.
The borough commissioners will discuss the issue and could decide on one of the proposals within the month.

A fundraiser commissioned by the library will then seek private donations while plans are being finalized and before a public referendum is held. Borough Administrator Sharon McCullough said Haddonfield hopes funding for the project will be split evenly between private contributions and borough bonds.

McCullough said for every $1 million in 15- to 20-year bonds, each household would pay approximately $14 to $18 per year in additional taxes.

In addition to the open public comments, residents heard from Iovino, Churchill, Library Board President Gene Kain and fundraiser Nancy Weber.

Building plans are available on the borough's website at www.haddonfieldnj.org.
Reach Julia Hays at (856) 486-2479 or jhays@gannett.com

Posted by tumulty at June 13, 2010 11:44 AM

Comments

Post a comment