SOMERVILLE SLATED FOR $18 MILLION GRANT FROM BOARD OF LIBRARY COMMISSIONERS

 Earlier this year, the City of Somerville

presented a building proposal to the MBLC that provided for a new public

library in Union Square that would more than double the footprint of the

current Main Library at 79 Highland Ave. 

The state-of-the-art building proposal, which was created with community

input through a series of meetings in Fall 2010 and an online survey with over

700 respondents, is estimated at $45 million and includes: greatly expanded

community meeting and exhibit space; quiet and group study rooms; green space in

the form of an outdoor courtyard and terraces that bring

light and air into the building; children's play areas; enhanced and expanded

children's and teen areas; a 200-seat auditorium with after-hours event access;

and a café and retail space.  The new

Main Library will be fully accessible and be secure, well-lit, climate

controlled, and environmentally green. The City of Somerville is currently

seeking match and additional funding to fulfill grant requirements.

"This generous award represents

a major vote of confidence in our community-based planning process and our long-term

commitment to maintaining a vibrant and creative library program.   It's also an exciting step forward in the

City's commitment to Union Square as an evolving civic and business hub for the

entire metro-Boston region," said Mayor Curtatone.  "In this round of funding for public

libraries, Somerville was the front-runner by more than $10 million,

demonstrating the state's support for our community, and to the ongoing

development of Union Square.  Our

proposal was designed with the input of community members, and with all

residents in mind; it includes traditional library elements as well as the

latest in technology, green space, and recreational elements for both young

people and adults.  It will expand on our

active living opportunities, arts and performance spaces, and create a civic

presence in one of our fastest-growing and most popular business districts, as

well as serve as a catalyst for economic activity in the area.  A new Main Library will serve as the civic

and cultural beacon of Somerville. We are thankful to the Board of

Commissioners, Board of Alderman, Library Trustees, and to the community members

who made this grant application successful, and we look forward to seeing this

come to fruition."

"This is a rare opportunity

that Somerville has been given-- to come together and build an iconic civic

building-- a new Main Library for all residents where they can meet, explore,

learn, and dream.  This new building will

offer a much larger and better-equipped community and educational resource for

Somerville residents.  I am so thankful

to the MBLC for this funding opportunity, and to our Library Trustees,

community members and City staff for collaborating over many months to create

an initial design that truly reflects our city's wants and needs," said

Carpenter.  As we move forward,

additional community forums will be held, leading up to the detailed

construction plans. "This is also an opportunity for this administration to

leave a lasting legacy on our city.  With

shrinking funding for municipalities, I cannot imagine that we'll have another

opportunity like this, and I'm excited to be a part of this transformation of

our public libraries, and of one of our busiest squares."

"Though our current Central

Library is a great historic building and a community gem, the plans for a

state-of-the-art building in the heart of Union Square, especially as it

becomes an even stronger business hub in the coming years, are terrific.  I'm excited to pursue this opportunity, and

look forward to working with residents of all ages as we get this going," said

Ward 3 Alderman Tom Taylor, who also currently serves as President of the Board

of Aldermen.

"I'm so proud of how far Ward

2 and the Union Square area in particular has come, and thankful to all of the

federal, state, and local partners for providing the necessary support and

resources to see projects like this come to fruition in our community," said Ward

2 Alderman Maryann Heuston.

The grant award provides that

the building be constructed in Union Square which, as part of the City's larger

plan to redevelop and reinvest in the Square, would provide additional economic

development incentive for the business district. 

"The

library trustees are enthusiastic about our expanding opportunities to foster

literacy, provide access to digital resources, and strengthen community.

 The new library will support emerging partnerships with local artists and

universities to expand programming for children, teens, and adults," said Mark

Howland, Director of the Library's Board of Trustees.  "Mayor Curtatone and Director Carpenter's efforts on

behalf of the library successfully cap over a decade of effort by the City and

community to transform the central library into an evolving, state-of-the-art

facility that will serve Somerville for many decades to come."

Funding for the projects was authorized by Governor Deval Patrick and the Legislature in the General Governmental Needs Bond Bill, signed by the Governor on August 11, 2008. While

libraries that received a provisional MPLCP grant are guaranteed funding, funding for Waiting List libraries depends on several factors including the

state's five year capitol plan and whether libraries that have provisional grants are able to secure local match funding and move forward with a project.