Overhead rendering of future New Canaan Library that includes original building. Keith Simpson Associates Inc.
This week on 0684-Radi0, our free weekly podcast (subscribe here in the iTunes Store), we talk to local preservation architect Rose Long Rothbart and landscape architect Keith Simpson about New Canaan Library’s rebuilding plans, and why they feel the original 1913 core of the existing building should be preserved.
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The original 1913 library is a classically beautiful structure. In my opinion, it is one of the most attractive buildings in New Canaan. I believe we as town citizens will much happier with the new library if the 1913 building is allowed to remain.
Yes, I totally agree.
And let’s not forget that the Town (that means tax paying residents) have been asked to give $10,000,000 towards the new library in addition to paying approximately 2/3 of the yearly operating cost (about $2,400,000/yr) that we already pay. Approval of the dollars makes we New Canaanites significant partners in the new library project. Certainly we have the right to request that this building remain as a stand-alone structure as a condition of our partnership.
Neele
You raise a very important point. We taxpayers are already paying about $2,400,000 for the library’s operating costs per year.
Several speakers during last night’s meeting mentioned that there no flooding nor structural issues in the 1913 building. One speaker had a copy of the engineering report and made valid points about the project. For example, what were the alternative plans?
Once this 1913 building is demolished, it is gone. We renovated Town Hall while maintaining portions of the “old building”. Certainly the 1913 building can be and should be preserved.
I absolutely agree the original building should be preserved! It fits the village
Sounds like a pretty reasonable proposal and only necessary if the town in fact decides to proceed with the new Library. Basically we are swapping keeping a building many people know and like, for a slightly reduced ‘town green’. This is accomplished at the same time as the town would get a new library. Sounds pretty workable – keeping aside the overall question of proceeding with the new Library in the first place.