New Rockford library has 'showstopper' views of Rock River
While the old main branch of the Rockord Public library was on the Rock River, it didn't offer the public the opportunity to utilize the riverfront.
That is why RPL officials are looking forward to when the new facility opens the property up so the community can enjoy the views.
"The view of the river is a showstopper," said Bridget Finn, Rockford Public Library's marketing and communications director."
In addition to grand views of the downtown riverfront, the new library features terraces on the second and third floors, windows spanning the entire side of the building, improved pedestrian access and new landscaping.
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"The old building had windows along the river, but they really didn't show the view," Finn said. "It wasn't built for that. It did nothing to celebrate being on the river bank. It was a typical Carnegie library."
Built in 1903, the Carnegie building was demolished in 2018, a project sparked by ComEd, which is paying for the nearly $40 million construction project.
ComEd is funding the project because, in 1966, it acquired Rockford Gas, Light and Coke, which operated on the property before the library was built and was responsible for environmental cleanup.
Before construction at 215 N. Wyman St. began in 2022, ComEd removed vats of tar, a byproduct of manufactured gas, that were buried under the old library and remediated the soil, clearing the site for what is being billed as a "21st century library."
"(The new building) is considerably smaller," Finn said. "But it doesn't have to be as large. With the design, it's an incredibly better use of space."
The new main library will mirror what's in the Hart Interim Library at 214 N. Church St., in terms of amenities like public computers, maker spaces and a scaled down physical collection. There will also be space to learn job skills, recording studios, green screens, AV rooms and gallery space — all accessible from the riverfront.
"The area between the library and river is going to be the new place to hang out," Finn said. "For the first time, you'll be able to actually step out and enjoy it. It gives people a reason to use the library. It's all part of a library of the future that is a lot more than books."
The new 68,000 square-foot library is expected to open in spring 2024.
Jim Hagerty covers business, growth and development and other general news topics for the Rockford Register Star. Email him at jhagerty@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: New Rockford library will have grand views of the Rock River
