The #MiddletownRI Town Council unveils an exciting plan to relocate the library to 110 Enterprise Center behind Town Hall, a better project than originally envisioned and one that saves taxpayers at least $14 million and costs nothing new up front.
NEW LIBRARY IN THE WORKS
MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (OCTOBER 7, 2024) – A new library is on the horizon in Middletown, an even better project than originally forecasted.
Recently, the property at 110 Enterprise Center hit the market, a 3.5-acre lot with a 29,952-square-foot single story structure.
Concerned about the potential $32 million price tag for a new library on West Main Road and related costs, the town put in a $3.3 million bid on the Enterprise Center property behind Town Hall.
Local leaders learned that offer was accepted amid stiff competition between other bidders. Barring unforeseen circumstances, the town expects to complete the sale in coming weeks and take over the building and property.
They also said the deal saves Middletown taxpayers at least $14 million dollars — even after renovations were factored in — compared to constructing a new library on the site now home to the Kennedy School at 740 West Main Road.
As originally conceived, that 31,551-square-foot West Main Road library was projected to carry an up front cost of at least $32 million before reimbursements. To view the library’s planning document for a new facility, visit https://mdl.town/MPL-Building-Plan online.
The way the Enterprise Center arrangement is laid out up front, the project won’t hit the tax rate or cost local property owners a cent in new taxes. That’s because the town will use a mix of debt rolling off the books and money from the town’s 50-year agreement for emergency services to the Balfour Beatty Communities neighborhoods off Coddington Highway and Greene Lane to cover the expenses.
Announcing the library agreement at a meeting Monday night in Town Hall, local officials were excited about the news, saying the project was a winner on multiple fronts.
First, they said the new location was a quieter spot more suited to library operations. It would also make the facility even more of a hub for the community in coming years. Town officials are in discussions to help bring a bus route to the new library.
The move simplifies the “Middletown Center” project at 600-740 West Main Road. The town also announced an agreement Monday night for a public-private venture with a trio of developers for residential, retail and office remake to the 15-acre stretch in the commercial heart of the town that hasn’t generated a nickel in taxes since the World War II era.
Open space and playing fields are projected to replace the area that was to be occupied by the new library at 740 West Main. Visit https://mdl.town/NYCU-MC for news about the “Middletown Center” project.
“This is one of those opportunities that just comes up out of nowhere sometimes,” council President Paul Rodrigues said. “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. It’s another great project for the town at no cost to the taxpayer, just like the police station, just like the fire station.”
“I agree with Paul about the opportunities here and what it will do for the library,” council Vice President Thomas Welch III said. “It’s a much easier project to accomplish, a better project and it saves our community more than $14 million. It’s a win-win-win the way I look at it."
Library Director Kimberly Usselman was thankful and excited about the announcement, which would help the library better serve its patrons — and all of Middletown.
“We are absolutely thrilled about the opportunity to move our library into a larger space that will better serve the needs of the community,” Usselman said. “This expansion to approximately 30,000 square feet will not only give us much-needed room to grow, but it also allows us to create dedicated spaces like a teen area, multiple meeting rooms, and study rooms, which have been long overdue.”
After a tour and discussions with town officials, Usselman said it’s clear there are other benefits as well.
“The new location offers more parking, plenty of outdoor space, and still has easy access, making it more comfortable and convenient for everyone,” Usselman said. “We can't wait to see how this transformation will allow us to offer even more programs, resources, and a gathering space for the community to enjoy.”
For years, the town has talked about the need to replace its aging, crumbling library at 700 West Main Road.
Believed to be built in the 1940s as a daycare center for the Navy, the structure has undergone extensive Band-Aiding to keep it open and operational. This includes reinforcing the concrete floors because of they were collapsing from the weight of the book stacks and HVAC repairs, among other work.
Instead of continuing to spend good money after bad on the 13,300-square-foot building, the new library was envisioned at the northern portion of the “Middletown Center” project.
However, with the rising construction costs, the complexity and time involved with putting together a new building and the potential of savings of $14 million plus, the 110 Enterprise Center location emerged as a viable, exciting option.
The subject of several executive session discussions between the Town Council and local officials, the idea moving the library across town took hold. Town officials said because quick moving and time sensitive property negotiations were involved, they could not speak publicly about the project until now.
From the street, 110 Enterprise offers an open, welcoming look, with plenty of open space and a patio area available immediately for outdoor programming. There’s also a good amount of parking so additional spaces aren’t expected to be needed.
Inside, town officials said the building offers a friendly, inviting space for a modern library operation, with windows throughout to provide natural lighting. They said the building could be up and running with minimal renovations, but it was too early in the process to set a projected opening date.
Town Administrator Shawn J. Brown said there was not a timeline for renovations to begin to the new library, but the item would be the subject of public discussions by the Middletown Public Library Board of Trustees and other local bodies.
Barring unforeseen circumstances, designs for updating 110 Enterprise were expected to take about six months, with renovations anticipated for about a year.
“There are a lot of moving pieces here and they’re all falling into place,” Brown said. “A new school and renovated buildings for our students and staff, a new library, Middletown Center and it’s mixed residential, office and retail opportunities. If you think about it, the work we’re doing today is going to set Middletown up for generations to come.”
Document Link: https://mdl.town/NYCU-Library-10724
About Middletown
The Town of Middletown is a vibrant municipality located on Aquidneck Island, known for its scenic beauty, historic landmarks, diverse economy and strong sense of community. For more information about all we have to offer, visit MiddletownRI.gov online.
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