The Shelter Island Public Library trustees have hired Munistat as a financial advisor for the recently-approved renovation and expansion project; the board plans an August 3 public input session on this major update to the library.
In June, voters approved a referendum enabling up to $9.5M in financing. It’s up to the library board to decide the best financing mechanism; among the options is a bond with the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), the state’s largest public works funding agency. Munistat has extensive experience working with the DASNY, Library Director Terry Lucas said.
SIPL has already hired Beatty Harvey Coco as the project architect and Park East Construction as the project manager. On Thursday, August 3, at 6 PM, architects Todd Harvey and Christopher Sepp will answer questions and listen to input regarding conceptual plans. Find details about the conceptual plans here.
Next, they’ll incorporate feedback gathered over the last few months into design drawings subject to final approval by the library board. Meantime, Park East will work on developing cost estimates based the drawings, and presenting the board with options for keeping costs down.
So, if you have input to share, it’s important to be heard sooner rather than later in the planning process.
Fundraising to offset cost of library renovation and expansion
While voters approved up to $9.5M in financing, the total amount may be offset by fundraising.
The library has received numerous pledges from other Shelter Island nonprofits, service organizations, and individuals, including all members of its own Board of Trustees.
Decades ago, the Friends of the Shelter Island Library procured and donated a vacant lot next door to the library, securing the option for expansion; it also pledged to support the project. The Shelter Island Lions Club, Garden Club, and Senior Citizens Foundation also pledged their support.
Have won voter approval, the library will be converting pledges into donations. Lucas said the library will continue its fundraising efforts throughout the project and beyond to reduce the taxpayer burden.
Stay informed
Lucas says she plans to keep library patrons and Shelter Island taxpayers informed of project progress through the library’s monthly newsletter (find them via this link to the library website), the annual Special Report, which is due out in October and goes to every Island PO Box, and through emails, news releases, social media postings, among other methods.
You can also follow the library on Facebook. And, of course, we’ll be following this story closely and will provide additional details as they become available.
