Testimony for Ways & Means Committee of the Boston City Council 3/24/26

My name is Yvette Jarreau and I am President of the Friends of the South End Library.  Thank you Chair Weber and Vice Chair Fitzgerald for this hearing.  And thank you councilors Fizgerald, Culpepper, and Flynn for your ongoing support of the South End Library.  I am asking for your active help getting the release of funds for the South End’s new library building. 

The capital funds for the SEL project were approved for fiscal 26 at $32.5 million; Councilor Culpepper has sponsored a resolution to increase that to $35 million.  I understand the project is about ready to go out to bid but awaits a release from the Office of Budget Management.

The South End Library rebuild ifs a special case given its unplanned closure from catastrophic flooding shortly after the Covid shutdown. It has now been closed nearly 5 years.  This special case was acknowledged by the city’s decision to accelerate the project and has resulted in a lovely design by Utile Inc. 

Recently, that design needed minor alterations because neighbors adjacent to the building had concerns about access to the alleys parallel and perpendicular to the building.  Testing was done and adjustments to the design are being made. This project should now go forward into the construction bidding process.  We need to continue the acceleration. Why?

·      Because of the length of closure, a whole cohort of young children have not had the experience and benefits of a local library where they can explore, learn, and get ready for school.  Those that are already in school are not having the library’s support for reading, good study habits, and homework so helpful for success later.

·      Many seniors remain concerned they will never see or be able to use the new building because they won’t live long enough.

·      For the many immigrants who live in our neighborhood, the local library is a refuge and source of much needed information and learning about various aspects of civic life.

·      This lengthy period without a local library has not diminished the level of interest and desire by the community.  I am asked regularly by people in the neighborhood about when the new building will be started and when it will be completed.  Rather, this wait has only increased the level of longing and need.

·      Our new library building is also an important element to support South End families’ decision-making about staying in the city rather than moving out, because it will directly improve the quality of life in our neighborhood.

Please provide your support for releasing the capital budget funds now to begin the construction phase of the project.