Bound Brook Library searching for temporary home after asbestos discovered
BOUND BROOK – The Bound Brook Memorial Library may be closing in on finding a temporary location after the nearly century-old building at the corner of High and Hamilton streets was closed when asbestos was found in preparations for renovations.
The library could be closed for three months to "considerably longer," said Lynn Hoffman, deputy director of the Somerset County Library System, depending on the extent of the contaminated material.
The Borough Council may take action this week on approving a temporary location for the library services.
The borough had received a $256,040 grant to undertake a number of repairs due to water infiltration.
State documents say the source of infiltration has been remediated, but other repairs need to be done.
The project, which is estimated to a have a total cost of $512,080, will include hazardous material assessment and abatement, partial roof replacement, gutter lining, parapet flashing, cupola repair, interior plaster and painting repair, door replacement and brick repointing.
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Bound Brook’s first public library building was purchased by George LaMonte from the Taylor family.
But in 1924 that building was razed, and the current building was constructed as a memorial to Bound Brook’s service men and women who served in World War I by local builder Alexander Morecraft.
The building was dedicated in December 1924. The estimated final cost was between $50,000 and $55,000 which, in today’s money, would be between $877,000 to $965,000.
Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com
Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Bound Brook NJ Memorial Library closed for asbestos
