The Middletown Town Council announced Monday night a significant change to the town’s library relocation plans. The town will purchase the 3.5-acre property at 110 Enterprise Center for $3.3 million, moving the planned library from its originally proposed location at 740 West Main Road. This move is expected to save taxpayers at least $14 million, according to town officials.
The new library location, a 29,952-square-foot building situated behind Town Hall, will require minimal renovations and is expected to be up and running sooner than the previously planned construction project. The move will also simplify the “Middletown Center” project at 600-740 West Main Road, where the library was initially slated to be built.
Town officials expressed enthusiasm for the new location, citing its quieter atmosphere, suitability for library operations, and potential to become a community hub. The building offers ample parking, outdoor space, and easy access, making it convenient for patrons. “This is one of those opportunities that just comes up out of nowhere sometimes,” said Council President Paul Rodrigues. “We were definitely on one track with the library on West Main Road, but then we learned about this opportunity and had to act quickly.”
The decision to relocate the library was driven by concerns about the rising construction costs associated with the new West Main Road location. The original plan for a 31,551-square-foot library at that site was projected to cost at least $32 million before reimbursements. However, Library Director Kimberly Usselman expressed excitement about the move, stating that the larger space will allow for the creation of dedicated areas for teens, meetings, and study rooms. She also highlighted the new location’s ample parking and outdoor space.
The purchase of the 110 Enterprise Center property will be funded through a combination of debt refinancing and funds from the town’s agreement with Balfour Beatty Communities for emergency services. This arrangement will avoid impacting the town’s tax rate.
Read more from the Town of Middletown, here.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.
Since when have the Middletown elders worried about impacting the tax rate?