Town Boardapproves library bids, releases Avalon Green II findings

The Greenburgh Town Board voted Wednesday night to accept bids from five contractors, paving the way for work to begin immediately on the renovation and construction of the new Greenburgh Public Library.  The board also approved and released the findings on the Avalon Green II development project.

“This is an incredibly exciting time,” said Councilwoman Diana Juettner, the Town Board’s liaison to the library. “The new library will be a centerpiece for the community and a place they can gather for educational and cultural experiences.”

Greenburgh residents approved a resolution last year allowing the Town to borrow up to $19.8 million to reconstruct and renovate the library, which was built in 1968 to serve a then population of 18,500. Today over 42,000 people live in unincorporated Greenburgh.

The library will increase in size from about 23,000 square feet to approximately 46,000.  The Children’s Library will grow to almost double its current size, parking will more than triple to 120 spots, and new areas will include a story time and craft room for children, a local history room, and a computer training room with twice as many computers as the old library.  In addition, wireless internet access will also be available throughout the library.

The building will also be environmentally friendly, as geothermal wells will provide the bulk of power for heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

“The geothermal wells are a clean and renewable energy source that will help keep costs low for taxpayers once the library is built,” Councilman Steve Bass said.

The board also released the findings statement to the public for the Avalon Green II residential housing project with regard to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA).  The project calls for 444 units of residential housing to be built in the East Irvington area of unincorporated Greenburgh.  The development requires 40 units of affordable housing and a significant fee be paid to the Town to be used for acquisition and development of open space and parks and recreation facilities.

The development originally called for almost 800 units of housing, but the Town’s comprehensive plan and steep slopes legislation forced the downsizing of the project.

A copy of the findings statement will be posted on the Town’s web site at www.greenburghny.com.