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12/14/2016 06:00 AMMadison’s needs are unique. What makes a new library essential are the same reasons not to expand at the present site.
Madison’s next-century library is our intellectual go-to place for electronic and print books, databases, periodicals, story hour, book groups, teen center, lectures, concerts, and exhibits—37,000 square feet is much needed.
Parking facts demonstrated in neighboring towns show how inadequate access to this more-than-twice-as-large facility would be. Guilford’s 34,000-square-foot library (with a large event hall) has 47 spaces on site plus 22 in front with many more down two streets. Guilford’s 15,000-square-foot community center (with a recital hall) has 73 parking spaces. Clinton’s 20,000-square-foot library has 85 spaces. Clinton also has performance space at its Town Hall. None of these buildings has competition from other enterprises.
While Madison’s library expansion includes 45 on-site spaces, users will compete with businesses for Wall Street’s 42 spaces. Further town center business development will need the Parker Harding lot. When the Academy site offers ample parking plus the ability to expand later, why would this generation want to turn it into a housing development or just let that old building deteriorate? How did both Guilford and Clinton’s new high schools enjoy big auditoriums while Madison’s has a stage with retractable bleacher seating?
At their Aug. 22 meeting, the selectmen were planning an Academy workshop/hearing the evening of the first Presidential debate. They have yet to select an alternative date.
The selectmen themselves chose not to invest in the Academy building, ignoring the recommendation of a year-long citizen study to turn the building into a community/senior center. Instead, they saw that a new 15,000-square-foot senior center (with 90 parking spaces!) was built. Subsequent studies have found no investors in the old school. It’ll be demolished. The site cries out for a new library.
Emily Eisenlohr
Madison