In early July, Executive Director of the City Office of Neighborhood Services, Mohammed Missouri, informed our community that the City had selected Option 1 click here (slide 5) for Alley 510 modifications because it allows access for service trucks while minimizing impact to the library park which was desirable by a number of neighbors at the May 19 community meeting. We also learned that neighborhood feedback prompted a re-look at the plan for the new electrical transformer box which Eversource has agreed can be buried. This will be less disruptive to the park and more aesthetically pleasing.
The new building project schedule remains on track with completion of construction documents in October and the start of a bidding process for contractor selection during this Fall season. At the same time, the project team has been prequalifying potential contractors in anticipation of putting the project out for bids by contractors. During the winter months a contractor will be selected and in Spring we can expect a construction process of approximately 27 months to produce a new library.
Sometime before demolition a construction fence will be put up and we will no longer be able to access the park. Because the existing building was built in the late 60's and opened in 1971, there will be an evaluation of the building's materials in an ecological abatement process to dispose of unhealthy substances in an appropriate manner. This will likely happen before we notice any demolition of the building.
Additionally, FOSEL’s 8-year-old irrigation system will be replaced as part of the project, with ongoing maintenance of the park to be turned over to the City Parks Department.
The start of the 2027/2028 city budget process will begin soon after the holidays. FOSEL will continue advocating for adequate funding in the City's Capital Budget since the environment for new construction is heavily impacted by inflation and tariffs. We will call on South End residents to support this advocacy as we see the need for more voices in support of our new building.
As these processes unfold, look for information about our new library building process in our website and newsletters.
