A $5 million bond issue that would fund long overdue repairs to the local public library’s two buildings heads to the Montclair Township Council for an initial vote on Tuesday, March 25.
A malfunctioning climate control system, leaky roofs and drafty windows that date to the 1950s, among other infrastructure issues, prompted the Montclair Public Library’s capital budget request. And at a council meeting earlier this month, residents turned out to voice their support for funding the library repairs.
“The library, it’s crucial to the community. It’s a community hub. It’s a cultural center. And it’s one of those places that truly belong to everyone here in town – no matter who you are,” said Erin Roll, a resident of South Fullerton Avenue, who volunteers her time help with library events. “Let’s face it, it’s part of what makes Montclair, Montclair.”
Ailing Buildings
However, the infrastructure needs repair. The main library on Fullerton Avenue was built in 1956 and last overhauled in the 1990s. The Bellevue Avenue branch opened in 1914, as one of the libraries built with funding from the Carnegie Corporation. Officials have said the branch requires roofing and plumbing repairs to address “water infiltration” among other issues.
First Ward Councilor Erik D’Amato chairs the council’s infrastructure committee.
“I believe the council is fully supportive of efforts of the library to both address its current pressing facilities needs as well as making an application for state funding for more ambitious improvement and expansion efforts including to add some programming space to the Bellevue Branch library and, crucially, to make it accessible for all residents,” D’Amato told Montclair Local.
EDA Tax Credits
The state support, which the library intends to apply for, would come from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s Cultural Arts Facilities Expansion Program, Library Director Radwa Ali said. The program, known as CAFE, provides tax credits to incentivize “broad scale” capital projects for arts and cultural venues. Under the EDA’s guidelines, the project for which the tax credits are awarded must result in at least a $5 million capital investment.
“It’s a significant opportunity that if we were to get it would allow for an enormous project, for very, very little matching funds from a combination of the library’s own funds, the library foundation’s and the town’s,” Ali said this week. “We had to know if we did this, if we proceed with this, will the township stand behind us.”
Mayor Renee Baskerville is on board.
“I am 100% in support of whatever resources we need to provide to ensure the safety and comfort of the people coming in there,” Baskerville said.
HVAC First
Ali said some fixes, such as HVAC repairs at the main library, won’t wait for the state.
“The thing that is imminent, of course, is the HVAC here,” she said, during a video interview from her office. “And that we’re already working on with the chiller that’s going to be installed, we think, by June. That we’re doing through our own operating budget.”
Ali started in Montclair last year. The town did not apply for funding under the state’s library construction bond act, she said.
“We missed our shot back in 2020, and this is a second chance to really bring about the library that this town deserves,” Ali said. “So, I’m optimistic about this.”
What’s Next?
The Montclair Township Council meets Tuesday, March 25, at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Building, 205 Claremont Ave., Montclair. The council plans to vote on funding for capital improvements to the Montclair Public Library’s buildings. The council must hold a public hearing at a subsequent meeting and vote for a second time for the funding to be authorized.
Email reporter Matt Kadosh at matt@montclairlocal.news
We need to find the money in our existing budget or through grants. No more tax increases or bonds.