The town of Henrietta is asking residents to agree to borrow $10 million to build a new library that is almost twice the size of the existing town library, now almost 40 years old.
The project has a total cost of $12.5 million.
A referendum on the November ballot will give voters the final say. Library director Adrienne Furness said surveys have shown that residents want more space in their library to work and to expand the collection of books and services.
She said the existing town library just can’t accommodate those additions.
"This building was built in 1978. Marketplace Mall didn't exist in 1978. This town has grown substantially over the past 40 years in both character and size. This building just wasn't built for this town that we have now."
The estimated cost to renovate the current library is $10 million. Furness said that plan poses potential parking and traffic flow issues due to a lack of space.
If voters give their approval, the new, 36,000 square foot, two-story library will be built on 2.8 acres of donated land on Calkins Road, just east of the recreation center and near the town court, town hall, and senior center.
"All on the same stretch of road, walkable, really,” said Furness. “There's going to be a road that will go behind everything so people wouldn't have to use Calkins Road to get from building to building if they have multiple things they wanted to do."
A public information meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at Henrietta Town Hall.
Residents will be able to see architectural renderings of the proposed new facility and learn more about the plans for the project.
If voters agree to the $10 million bond, it will come with an estimated cost per household of $18 to $22 per $100,000 assessed value. The remaining $2.5 million of the total estimated cost for the project would be covered through current and anticipated funds, grants, and donations.
