Directors to vote on library plan Tuesday
Aug. 1—MANCHESTER — The Board of Directors will vote Tuesday night on whether to send a $39 million bond question for construction of a new main Manchester Public Library in the Webster Bank building area on Main Street to referendum.
If approved, the town would hold a referendum vote on Election Day, Nov. 8, for voters to decide on the borrowing of the necessary funds. The $39 million includes costs associated with renovations to Mary Cheney Library on the corner of Main and Center streets to "accommodate its reuse," as well as site acquisition and improvements, demolition, design, and construction for the new location on the corner of Main and Maple streets.
Referendum
WHEN: If approved by the Board of Directors on Tuesday, voters would decide on bonding $39 million for construction of a new library in November.
WHERE: The new library would be built at 1041 Main St., the current site of a Webster Bank building.
The idea of building a new library has been in the public consciousness of Manchester residents for many years. Various projects to expand on Mary Cheney were voted down over the years, and now town officials have pivoted and taken new steps that would keep an updated main library downtown while still offering adequate parking without encroaching on Center Memorial Park.
A presentation given to the Board of Directors in June estimated the cost of a new library at the south end of Main Street between $35 to $38 million, excluding site acquisition costs. Along with building a new main library at 1041 Main St. where Webster Bank now sits, two other proposals were also suggested: in the Forest Street parking lot at 942 Main St. across from the bank, or expansion of the Whiton Branch Library at 100 North Main St..
Benefits for the Webster Bank site outlined at the June meeting includes its prominent downtown location, where it would serve as a driver of economic activity, as well as accessibility at a central location in town. A plan presented for the site at the meeting showed the new library having three floors with two entrances. It would include meeting rooms, a workspace, and an atrium, with parking in the rear.
At the meeting, officials suggested repurposing Mary Cheney Library at 586 Main St. for a number of other purposes, including a possible cultural center, a performance space, or town offices.
The Board of Directors discussed in July the allocation of $25 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to various town projects, including the renovation or construction of a new library.
Other proposed projects for the spending included renovating Nathan Hale Elementary School, implementing the Downtown Manchester Improvements project, and completing the concept for the western section of Charter Oak Park, as well as a number of smaller enhancements. Allocation of the funds are subject to a public hearing, and all funds must be committed by December 2024 in accordance with the law.
One additional item on the agenda for the Board of Directors meeting Tuesday night is the acceptance of the final report of the Charter Revision Commission. The town formed the commission in April 2021, and members examined potential changes to the charter.
The commission's final recommendations include providing for the direct election of a Mayor, increasing compensation for the Board of Directors, expanding the Planning and Zoning Commission from seven to nine seats, changing the title of General Manager to Town Manager, and eliminating residency requirements for certain top administrative staff.
Joseph covers East Hartford and South Windsor. He joined the JI in July 2021. Joseph graduated from the University of Connecticut and he is an avid guitarist and coffee enthusiast.
