Nearly a dozen members of the Friends of the Schenectady Public Library, library trustees and members of the public spoke in front of the Schenectady County Legislature against an extended closure of the main branch of the Schenectady County Library in favor of a 2003 plan that added an addition on the eastern side of the building that preserved the library’s lauded architecture and its central programming space, the McChesney Room.
The 2003 plan would construct a $4 million addition between the central branch and the police station on Liberty Street and repair heating and ventilation systems within the building.
Public comments followed the second informational meeting on the remodeling project held this month.
On Tuesday, May 12, county officials discussed their decision earlier in the week to extend the due date for bids to be submitted on the project in an attempt to reduce costs and reduce the amount of time that the main branch would be closed during reconstruction.
Earlier this month, the county was criticized for a proposed $7.7 million project that could close the library for slightly more than a year. The proposed project would create a new entrance to the library on the corner of Clinton and Liberty streets and demolish the McChesney Room.
Several residents also complained in recent weeks that the project’s addition of a cafE, performance space and a new entryway was too lavish.
Legislator Joe Suhrada, R-Rotterdam, concurred.
It’s like taking down a Norman Rockwell painting and putting up a velvet Elvis, said Suhrada. `The process has got to go back to the stakeholders, and we have to get our big political noses out of it.`
John Karl, a library trustee and former president of Friends of the Schenectady Public Library, said he’d support a plan to extend the library to the east, a project that garnered support by the Friends, allowing them to raise nearly $2 million for the project.
Several members of the Friends said that after news of an extended closure emerged, contributors began to ask for their money back.
The 2003 proposed renovation was dismissed in 2004 by the Legislature. The Legislature then hired a new architect who designed the most recent, 9,000-square-foot expansion project.
County Manager Kathleen Rooney said the county is committed to finding a project that gets the universal support of legislators, library stakeholders and the public.
`We want to set up a process to obtain a consensus that works for the library and works for the community,` said Rooney. `If anything, this (process) has told us all how committed everyone is to the library.`
Rooney said bidders will respond to two alternate bids.
Alternate A focuses on replacing major systems in the building including heating, ventilation and air conditiong, asbestos abatement and general upgrades to the first-floor space. Library closure during these upgrades will be very limited.
Alternate B will focus on utilizing the upstairs of the current facility to house library programs, eliminating the need to change the basic footprint of the building.
Rooney said this option could lower costs and the time involved in the renovation project.
The second floor space, totaling 22,600 square feet, is now used for administrative space and book storage only.
By consolidating administrative space, additional room is freed up on the second floor for library services. Under this plan, the McChesney Room and other parts of the main floor will be upgraded rather than adding the time and expense of expanding the first floor.
Earlier this month, a press release issued by the county confirmed that the hours of the libraries at Schenectady City Schools would extend during the shutdown period. State Street’s Proctors may also donate space for library programs.
While Rooney did not give a deadline for bids, she said the project will move forward expediently.
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