Manchester library project has number of steps to go through

Joseph Villanova, Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.
·3 min read

Nov. 10—MANCHESTER — Now that it's been approved in a landslide referendum vote, the $39 million library construction project still has many hoops to jump through.

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: Voters overwhelmingly approved the library referendum Election Day, allowing the town to borrow up to $39 million for the project.

WHEN: Officials hope to begin construction sometime in 2023, and open the library in 2024.

Board of Directors member Dennis Schain said the state has committed $6.5 million to the project, and the town is applying for other external funds to help keep down the cost, including the state Community Investment Fund.

Schain said while he could not speak to the timeline for the project, there are a number of major steps before construction can begin. First is to acquire the property at 1041 Main St.

"We need to work with Webster Bank to accomplish the transfer of the property, and then put all the pieces in place to address design needs," Schain said.

Schain said the town hopes to begin construction in 2023 and to have the library open some time in 2024.

General Manager Steven Stephanou said that he expects the Board of Directors will form a committee, comprised of Board members and other stakeholders, to discuss and approve designs in the coming months.

Residents on Election Day approved the referendum for a new 75,000-square-foot library on Main Street in a roughly two-to-one vote. Unofficial results from the Town Clerk's office showed 13,185 voted in favor, with 6,670 against.

With the approval, the town is authorized to borrow up to $39 million to build a new library on the south end of Main Street. The price includes site acquisition, design work, and building costs, as well as renovation of the existing Mary Cheney Library at 586 Main St. for an alternate use.

Mayor Jay Moran today congratulated members of the Vote Yes Library campaign, as well as the 21st Century Library Task Force that created the library plan, and the residents that voted in favor.

"Their hard work paid off, and we're looking forward to a new 21st century library," Moran said.

Schain said he is enthusiastic about the approval, and that the residents of Manchester have regularly supported funding for important town projects.

"My hats off to voters for understanding that the Mary Cheney Library is outdated and outmoded," Schain said.

Stephen Ristau, chairman of the Vote Yes Library campaign, said that he is "elated" that the referendum passed.

"The community has been working at this for many years, especially the past three years," Ristau said.

Ristau said his family has strong ties to Manchester, and he wanted to help make a mark on the town.

"I returned to town five years ago, so this has been an incredible experience to reconnect with my hometown ... and to give back to something that's gonna last," Ristau said.

Miriam Byroade, chairwoman of the Library Board and a member of the Vote Yes Library campaign, said she is optimistic for the future of the library.

"A lot of people have done a lot of deep work on this project for years, so to see it come to this point is gratifying," Byroade said.

Byroade said with increased space and enhanced accessibility, the library could provide new services and more effectively address resident needs, which will draw more people to Main Street.

"In five, ten years, we're really gonna see the economic benefits of this investment," Byroade said.

Byroade said a Library Board meeting would be held on Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m. at Mary Cheney Library, and residents can speak about plans for the new library.

Joseph covers Manchester and Bolton for the Journal Inquirer.