Groundbreaking could take place in spring 2022
The Westfield City Council has approved a $16.725 million general obligation bond to fund a new public library. The new 45,000 square-foot library will be built on 3.6 acres at Westfield Boulevard and Park Street in the heart of downtown Westfield.
Sollars
“This new building will be a centerpiece in the heart of Westfield’s expanding downtown,” said Library Director Sheryl Sollars. “While the current building has served us well through the years, it doesn’t allow us room to grow and continue to meet the community’s burgeoning needs.”
The current library on Hoover Street was built in 1983 and expanded in both 1994 and 2014. At 32,230 square feet, it doesn’t offer enough room for further expansion.
“The approval on the bond allows us to finalize the purchase of the new property and put the project out for bid,” Sollars added. “Our hope is to break ground on the new library next spring with a grand opening in the fall of 2023.”
The newly approved bond will cause a 2-cent tax increase; however, Westfield Washington Schools plans to decrease its tax rate over the next several years, allowing construction on the new library to be net neutral.
KRM Architects will serve as the project architect.
Graphic provided