The Patent Trader
Mount Kisco scales back new library to fit budget
by BETH BAR
(Original publication: January 19, 2006)

Mount Kisco's new library will be smaller than originally expected.

In an effort to stay within the $8 million approved by voters in November for the project, village officials reduced the size of the proposed library from 21,500 to 18,000 square feet.

This is still twice the size of the present library, which is a little over 9,000 square feet.

The change occurred during a meeting with architects from Lothrop Associates on Jan. 13.

"We are committed to staying within the $8 million mark," village Trustee George Griffin said. "We don't want to downsize anymore, but we are committed to the (present) figure."

He said architects from Lothrop will now sit down with the library board and reconfigure their plans based on the roughly 3,000-square-foot size change and will prepare a proposal to be put out to bid in the next couple of months.

Mayor J. Michael Cindrich said the reason behind the change in size is unclear.

"I don't know if it was a miscalculation," he said. "All I can say is that we're working to make this happen."

Cindrich said the village had emphasized to the architects the importance of quality construction, and maybe this was a factor in the decision to reduce the size of the facility.

Work on a new library could still start as early as this summer, Griffin said. During construction, the library staff and materials would be relocated.

"We don't have a temporary site yet, but we're in the process of finding one," said Griffin, who estimated construction could take one year.

Cindrich said that as soon as plans are ready to be put out to bid the village will better know when and for how long it will need a temporary space.

The interim library would hold fewer materials, but Griffin said patrons will be able to access a wide range of items through the Westchester Library System.

Jennifer Monteleone, a spokeswoman for the Mount Kisco Public Library Foundation, said the change in size will not change the foundation's goal of a new library.

"Our commitment is bringing a brand new building to the community," she said. "We also made a commitment to the taxpayers to stay within the $8 million. The main goal is to construct an appropriately sized building that serves the needs of the community."

Monteleone said a recent donation of $10,000 by Mahopac Bank will help the foundation, which was formed to raise funds for the new library, move toward its goal of raising $1 million over the next two years to furnish the new facility.

The foundation plans to use the money to help pay for chairs, carpeting, bookshelves and computers for the facility, which will be constructed on the same site as the current library (on 100 Main St.)

To date the foundation has raised about $125,000, including $10,000 from Mount Kisco's Rotary Club, Monteleone said.

It is seeking donations from residents, local businesses and national organizations. The foundation is speaking with IBM and Starbucks about contributing money or products, Monteleone said, but no agreement has been made.

"We're in the middle of a push to raise funds," Monteleone said. "We are taking a multi-tiered approach with multiple levels of fundraising."