Potential Library Renovation Plans Unveiled

The could be getting what many consider to be a much-needed makeover, if the Borough Council and its appointed Library Study Advisory Committee gets its way.

The committee, headed by Library Branch Director Doug Poswencyk and other local library enthusiasts, sponsored a presentation from Foreman Architects and the proposed project’s lead designer, Peter Ortiz, that would take the converted Victorian-style home and turn it into a comprehensive cultural and community resource center for the residents of Watchung, at the May 24 Borough Council meeting.

“The reasons why we’re doing this project is because, first off, the library is occupying a building that wasn’t a library,” Ortiz said. “The second reason is, as time goes on, the books have increased and taken over the people space.”

Ortiz’s crew would look to enhance the current structure and expand upon it, keeping the Victorian look on the outside while adding a modern flair. The preliminary plan presented by Foreman Architects on Thursday night would see the library expandthe approximately 8,000 sq. ft. by 9,000 sq. ft. by the end of the project, and the renovated building would include amenities like a small café, an outdoor children’s play area and more group meeting facilities.

Ortiz told the council and those in attendance that the current wood structure would make for a much more flexible renovation project than a masonry-based or steel structure.

“You’re dealing with a wood structure. With a wood structure, the most flexible renovation you can have is a wood structure. If you find something you don’t like, you just replace it with another piece of wood,” Ortiz said. “We’re really going to gut the place and take everything out of it. It’s going to be unrecognizable, except for the outside shape.”

Ortiz projected that the project, by the time it begins, would cost $4.2 million and take approximately a year to complete, although each of those figures could increase if the library decided to complete the project in phases.

“Cheapest way is to clear everything out of the library and let (construction crews) have the run of the place,” Ortiz said.

Of course, a project this expensive would have to involve donations and solicitations to prevent taxes from significantly increasing as a result of its completion. The committee has already thought of several ways to potentially bring taxpayer costs down, including solicitations from businesses, corporations and the community at large.

“We’ve always kept the taxpayer in mind,” said Colleen McHegan of the Library Study Advisory Committee. “It’s a big piece of property and it’s a large library, but it’s based on all the research we’ve done over the last several years.”

Stephen K. Pote, the council’s liaison to the Library Study Advisory Committee, was complimentary of the council’s efforts over several years to bring the community to a point where it may soon be ready for an upgraded library facility.

“There’s been discussion about the possibility of renovations to the library or a new library in excess of 10 years,” Pote said. “(Committee members) certainly have been involved for six years, and in that time, we’ve really stepped up the activities in regards to what is right for Watchung in regards to a library.”

“I try to remain a neutral face here, but I want to tell you how proud I am of the work of Library Study Committee, as well as work of the architects,” he added.

Pote also mentioned being in support of advertising a proposed library expansion as soon as the council decides on a bidder, with the aim to take the decision to the public for a referendum vote in time for the November election.

This article was edited to correct the spelling of Library Study Advisory Committee member Collen McHegan's name, and the size of the expension proposed.