60°
Citing a $500,000 New York State grant that was secured by local Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, officials recently celebrated the groundbreaking for construction at what will be the temporary home of the Scarsdale Public Library at Supply Field.
Late last year, the Village Board of Trustees approved a $9.9 million bond offering to help offset the “public” portion of the proposed $17.9 million renovation, which will include expansions of the teen and children’s areas, a new reading space, updated wiring and technology, infrastructure improvements and a cafe area that will double as a public meeting space for the community.
Since announcing the proposal, more than $5.7 million in gifts and pledges have also been secured, though nearly $2 million more is needed to start construction on time next spring.
The idea to renovate the library sparked in 2012, when a survey was conducted to gauge community needs and interests, and according to organizers of the renovation, one message was clear: “Scarsdale values excellence in education and lifelong learning.”
Initially, the project was slated to cost more than $20 million , but the Trustees worked diligently to shave millions of dollars in costs to make the proposal more palatable for library patrons. It is now up to the Library Capitol Campaign Committee to raise the remaining $7.5 million to fund the ambitious library overhaul.
“Having a temporary facility so we could continue to provide library services for residents of Scarsdale while work is done on the library was an important component in planning for the renovation,” Scarsdale Library Director Elizabeth Bermel stated. “Through the tireless efforts of Assemblywoman Paulin, the village has obtained a major share of the funds needed to convert the building at Supply Field into a temporary library. When the library renovation is completed the village will have a modernized building for its use.”
Click here to follow Daily Voice White Plains and receive free news updates.
