Montclair Library Gets $36M Windfall Of NJ Tax Credits For Major Renovations

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The Montclair Public Library has been approved for a windfall of more than $36 million in state tax credits to carry out a major renovation project.

On Tuesday, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) announced that it has approved up to $36.6 million in CAFE program tax credits for the “Montclair Public Library and Cultural Center Project.”

The upgrades will include the renovation of the downtown Main Library Branch at 50 South Fullerton Avenue, and the expansion and renovation of the Bellevue Avenue Branch.

Here’s what is being planned at each location, state authorities said:

MAIN LIBRARY – “The project at the Main Library includes a full reorganization of the space and will include a first-floor common area with a teaching kitchen, a state-of-the-art auditorium, art exhibition galleries, and outdoor terraces. The second-floor workshop will serve as an architectural history and digital preservation space, a center for workforce development, digital equity, and adult learning with classrooms, a FabLab, and the Montclair Jazz Library. The third floor will serve as a youth-focused floor with a STEAM discovery lab, podcasting and media studios, and a sensory room. The project also includes a full gut renovation and upgrade of the roof, fenestration, and the addition of solar panels.”

BELLEVUE AVENUE BRANCH – “The project at the Bellevue Avenue Branch will include Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades, expanded children’s and teens spaces, a multipurpose community room, and a redesigned front plaza for outdoor events.”

According to the NJEDA, the CAFE program aims to increase cultural arts activities, attract visitors, boost engagement with the arts in underserved communities, and revitalize downtowns by providing tax credits to build or renovate facilities – including aquariums, historical societies, libraries, galleries and museums. Eligible awardees can receive tax credits covering up to 100 percent of eligible project costs, up to $75 million.

The Montclair Public Library is an “accessible, transit-friendly space equipped with robust infrastructure” – all of which contributed to the decision to greenlight the tax credits, the NJEDA said.

Tuesday’s announcement got a thumbs-up from Mayor Renee Baskerville, who said the state is making an “extraordinary investment” in Montclair’s future.

“At a time when Montclair families are facing rising costs, difficult budget decisions across our schools and municipal services, and real uncertainty about what comes next, our libraries matter more than ever,” Baskerville said.

“They are the one public space that belongs to every single resident – full stop,” she emphasized.

Deputy Mayor Susan Shin Andersen also said the news is a win for Montclair.

“This investment will allow our community to get a library system for the future for less than it would cost if repairs and improvements identified from the past were to be further deferred,” Shin Andersen said.

“Our library has and will continue to serve as a vibrant community gathering place, a hub for connection and a center of learning open to every person of every background,” she added.

Montclair Public Library Director Radwa Ali said the CAFÉ project will be a chance to create spaces that are accessible, welcoming and built for modern-day needs.

“We have critical infrastructure needs that can't wait, and this funding lets us address those while also thinking boldly about what comes next for Montclair's libraries,” Ali said.

“Libraries are where a community shows what it values,” Ali said.

Spokespeople said the library will actively engage residents throughout the planning and design process to ensure that the renovated facilities reflect community needs and aspirations.

JoAnn McCullough, president of the Montclair Public Library Board of Trustees, said Tuesday’s announcement is a “pivotal moment.”

“The scale of the state’s investment allows us to address longstanding infrastructure challenges while also thinking expansively about what our libraries can be,” McCullough said. “With strong public engagement and community support, we have the opportunity to create library spaces that are truly exceptional.”

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.