Sunday, August 8, 2010

Holyoke Public Library building project "is not a simple issue"

Link to August 7 Springfield (Mass) Republican article.

Excerpt:    Holyoke’s $14.5 million library project hasn’t been that storied, but as City Councilor Diosdado Lopez said on Wednesday, it has its own history.

“This is not a simple issue,” Lopez said.

The library at 335 Maple St. is 108 years old. Damaged by water and mold from roof leaks, it also has insufficient space for children’s services and public computers, and the limestone exterior has cracks.

The council voted 13-0 at City Hall last week to approve an agreement that transfers ownership of the library to the city.

The transfer of the library at 335 Maple St. and its 2.4-acre site was necessary because in order for the city to borrow money to fund a project, the city must own the project.

The agreement had been signed by Mayor Elaine A. Pluta and the Holyoke Public Library board of directors for weeks, awaiting City Council approval. But councilors had questions
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Related article:
Behind the scenes at the Holyoke Public Library.  (1/28/2010)

Holyoke Massachusetts blog.
Holyoke's history.

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