Sag Harbor Library Expansion Gets Go-Ahead

By Aaron Boyd

While almost 100 district residents voted within the first hour of the polls opening, there were 566 less ballots cast in this referendum compared to the failed 2004 vote. Photos by Aaron Boyd

Sag Harbor - Voters in the Sag Harbor School District passed the $9.98 million expansion to the John Jermain Community Library at the polls on Monday, June 29, with 83 percent of voters approving of the project.

Poll watchers, including library director Catherine Creedon, expected a record turn-out as almost 100 district residents showed up to vote in the first hour after the polls opened and the May 19 school vote had a record participation of over 1,900 earlier this year, however the final count was 642 'yes' to 137 'no' votes, a total of 779 ballots cast. The library had floated an $8 million plan to build an adjunct building on library-owned property near Mashashimuet Park in 2004, though that was struck down by referendum with a vote of 478 'yes' to 867 'no,' with 1,345 voters attending.

Preliminary renderings from the architect show the proposed stone and glass facade and the spacious, open design planned for the addition.

The approved project includes $7.2 million for renovating the existing library building, including a new air-conditioning and ventilation system and stronger compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and approximately $2.5 million for the expansion. The cost for the renovation and expansion will be borne across a 20-year bond, which, based on the current market, would result in approximately $95 a year for an average home valued at $750,000.

With the official go-ahead from the voters, the library's board of directors will now begin drafting final plans for the 7,000 square-foot addition before submitting them to the Sag Harbor Village architectural review and planning boards. The approved addition proposes a three-story stone and glass annex with large, story-tall windows to make use of natural light. The lowest floor will be sunken eight feet below ground level and the total height of the new structure will not rise above the stone cornice of the existing library.

Once the project passes through the review process, which should take approximately 12 to 18 months, construction will begin. Library representatives expect to drive the first shovel by the fall of 2010 and hope to be finished by 2012. While construction is underway, the library's services will be available out of a temporary facility in a space yet to be determined.

A total of 779 residents of the Sag Harbor School District approved the proposed $10 million renovation and expansion of the John Jermain Community Library by 83 percent.