Expansion Of Southington Library Project Approved

SOUTHINGTON, CT — The same Southington land-use board that called designs for a new Southington Public Library "ugly" has now approved new plans that add to the project's scope.

The Southington Planning and Zoning Commission, at a special meeting on Dec. 19, unanimously approved a site plan modification to add 4,740 square feet to the project's footprint.

Todd Ritchie, an engineer with SLR Consulting, Cheshire, updated the zoning board that night on the new aspects of the library project.

Those new plans, which were ironed out by the Southington Library Building Committee in recent weeks, now call for a relocated children's library and outdoor facilities allowing for seating/outdoor reading sessions.

Approved as a 24,000-square-foot project, the new library project's expanded square footage is now 28,740.

Last July, work began on the construction of the $16.9 million facility at 255 Main St. Voters approved the project back in 2021.

At the last Southington Town Council meeting, Councilman James Morelli, a building committee member, updated colleagues on the library project and said the new addition increases the cost by $340,000.

But, Morelli said, the library is hoping to utilize project contingency cash and fund-raisers to make up the difference since voters approved $16.9 million at the polls.

Also helping is a $5 million contribution from the State Bond Commission, which finalized the grant last September with help from state Rep. Chris Poulos, D-Southington.

The facility has been the subject of some controversy in town since voters approved the project at a referendum in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In November 2021, voters sought a 30,000-square-foot library — a project deemed necessary to meet fire and building codes, provide modern services and amenities, and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

But throughout 2022, town and library officials learned cost overruns associated with the ever-present supply chain and inflation issues meant the $16.9 million could only fund a 24,000-square-foot building.

After much debate about whether to seek more funding from voters for a 30,000-square-foot library, it was decided to build to the amount of cash approved at the polls.

Then, in April 2023, the PZC voted 5-2 to approve the special permit to build the structure, but doing so with a heavy dose of criticism over the building's design.

Some members — even those who voted "yes" — said plans for the building and its new sign were "ugly."

With the newest plans, however, it appears the PZC no longer has concerns about the library site.

Southington PZC Chairman Robert Hammersley said as much before the PZC's vote on Dec. 19, dishing out a heaping helping of praise to the building committee.

"I'll just say hats off to the building committee on this one," he said. "I think that the building committee worked well to hear those comments and to incorporate a lot of those things in there.

"You did a great job. You all should be patting yourself on the back."

He said the revised library project is something the town can be proud of.

"I think, at the end of the day, this project, with the changes that they made, will be something that we can all be proud of in the Town of Southington," Hammersley said. "And that's a great credit to the members of the building committee."

For the minutes of the Dec. 19 Southington Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, click on this link.

For the minutes of the Dec. 11 Southington Town Council meeting, click on this link.

From Oct. 9, 2023: 'Web Portal Created For Southington Library Construction Project'

From April, 19, 2023: 'Southington PZC Rips Library Building Plans, But Still OKs Project'