New Canaan Library Demolition
April 15, 2023. Credit: Michael Dinan
Demolition of the former New Canaan Library building commenced last week, as the organization prepares to remake the largest part of its campus, overlooking the corner of Cherry and Main Streets.
Rendering of the Green at New Canaan Library. https://www.newcanaannewlibrary.org/
The 1970s-built children’s wing had been razed by the weekend after demolition commenced Wednesday. Over the next several months, passersby can expect to see the widely anticipated library “Green” take shape, with the original 1913 building slated for a 115-foot move within the property this summer.
“We are all very excited to see the progress,” Library Executive Director Lisa Oldham told NewCanaanite.com in an email in response to questions about “Phase Two” of the project. “There is great anticipation throughout the community to see the Green completed as per the planning approvals and available for the enjoyment of all, by this autumn.”
Designed by Boston-based Stimson Landscape Architects, the nearly 1-acre community green space will feature native plantings and play host to events such as music concerts, theater, films, gardening and nature programs and exercise classes, library officials have said.
The library privately owns its buildings and property.
Readying the site for the Green and surrounding outdoor areas is an extensive job. Bob Butman, president of the library’s Board of Trustees, told the Board of Selectmen recently that it will involve landscaping, excavation and work on retaining walls, sidewalks, lighting, abatement, masonry and utilities.
Hi Mike – while the Library owns its buildings we may want to remind readers that the town budgeted around $2.7m for operating costs of the Library next year (appears to be around 75% of the total annual library budgeted operating costs if I read that right) which is approximately 5% of the total non BOE expenses for the town.
For context, New Canaan trails Darien, Wilton, Greenwich and Westport in terms of the amount of its annual contribution to the local library as a percentage of municipal revenue. New Canaan also trails those same four towns in terms of the town’s annual grant as a percentage of library income. Here’s the New Canaan Library budget presentation to the town, with the slides that provide those figures. Thanks, Giacomo.
Thanks Mike that was a helpful document and actually left me pretty heartened that the financial support from the town of New Canaan was closer than I had expected to our neighboring towns (based on % of annual operating costs covered – we may have some work to do on a per-capita basis). I am not sure how the non-operating cost grants or other financial support are included in these calculations between towns – as this is certainly relevant for New Canaan over these few years.
I hope moving the 1913 portion of the library will be a success…
And so it begins…and so sad…
No it isn’t.
Couldn’t agree more, Michael.
I hope I am not alive when the town purchases the gas station the old library will abut!