New Southington Library Construction Forges Onward

SOUTHINGTON, CT — The construction site for the new Southington Public Library had a couple of VIPs visit Wednesday to see how progress is going.

State Rep. Christopher Poulos, D-Southington, and Connecticut State Librarian Deborah Schander visited the site, which is adjacent to the current library at 255 Main St.

Poulos said he and Schander toured the new facility and met with architects and construction workers.

He said they were there to "receive an update on their progress, including the addition and upgrades to the 'exterior look' being funded by the $5 million state grant that the town received last year."

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 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."

Last July, work began on constructing the new library, with local leaders seeking a more economical means to revise the project's plans and improve the design.

At a Southington Town Council meeting in December, Councilman James Morelli, a building committee member, updated colleagues on the library project.

He said the new design revisions increased the cost by $340,000.

But, he said, the library will 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 Poulos' guidance.

From Jan. 3: 'Expansion Of Southington Library Project Approved'