Now We Can Begin
On the heels of the Town Council’s final vote last week to approve a $10 million grant for the new Library building, here is an insider’s glimpse of the official signing of the contract with Turner Construction, marking the official start of the building phase of the Library Project! Scroll down to read a special community note of appreciation from our Board of Directors that was published in the press this week.
Dear Residents of New Canaan,
For over a decade, hundreds of volunteers and dozens of town officials have worked together to bring the NEW New Canaan Library to our community. We are pleased to announce that the town bodies have voted with near unanimity, the Memorandum of Understanding with the town and the construction contracts with Turner Construction have been signed by the Board and we can begin construction on the new library building! We are grateful to all of the donors, volunteers, elected officials, library staff, and others who have championed this project to arrive at this historic milestone.
Time and again, New Canaanites have expressed their desire for a new library that can be a hub for their insatiable curiosity and desire for connection — a place where knowledge grows, imaginations flourish, and ideas bloom. The NEW New Canaan Library will be a place that connects people, information and ideas at the nexus of culture, technology and discussion. Our new campus is designed to engage all the residents in our town, from babies to seniors, thereby strengthening the fabric of our community.
Since 1877, the New Canaan Library’s aim has been to serve the community, including the sometimes competing needs and desires of a range of views across our town. At times this has been challenging, but we know that addressing challenges together makes communities stronger and encourages us all to embrace a broader perspective. We have learned much from each other during the past year and we’ll keep partnering across the community to provide the best possible outcome for our town.
We will work with Planning and Zoning and Centerbrook Architects to develop options to respectfully and meaningfully preserve parts of the legacy building to meet our zoning approval conditions and determine its location so it is thoughtfully integrated in the campus with the new modern building and Library Green. We will work in good faith to satisfy the largest number of community members we can.
Thank you to Planning and Zoning for their diligent and inclusive process. Thank you also to our Selectman, Board of Finance, and Town Council for their support and the hard work, creativity and commitment they extended on behalf of New Canaan citizens. We are thrilled to have the endorsement and confidence of these town bodies, and that of over 200 generous donors who have made this project possible.
The forward momentum is exhilarating and we are excited to start construction as soon as possible! Be sure to check on progress as you drive by.
In ongoing service to our community,
The New Canaan Library Board of Trustees
Robert E. Butman, President
Christine Seaver, Vice President
Eileen S. Thomas, Vice President
Thomas D. Teles, Treasurer
Rachel Diehl Baker, Secretary
Jonathan Barry
Sarah O’Herron Casey
Gary D. Engle
William J. Fox
Maya Frey
Deborah S. Gordon
Ian Hobbs
Anda B. Hutchins
Thomas P. Joyce
Robert F. Lowe
Fatou Niang
Christopher B. O’Connor
David J. Rucci
Anne W. Tseng
Peter R. Ziesing