Lee-Whedon breaks ground on $5 million addition to Medina library
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Lee-Whedon Memorial Library celebrated a ground-breaking today on a 4,785-square-foot addition on the back of the current library, which is 11,100 square feet.
The addition will create space for two meeting rooms, two tutoring rooms, a programming room with makerspace, Friends of the Library book sale room, a quiet research room, a teen room and 14 parking spots.
There would also be additional restrooms, a new circulation desk, a new entry portico with automatic sliding doors, about a 10 percent increase in the collection and upgraded technology.
Library officials break ground with ceremonial shovels today. From left include trustees Steve O’Dea, Dave Schwert, Board President Cynthia Kiebala, trustees Isabella mark and Kathy Boice, and library director Kristine Mostyn.
The new addition is expected to be ready in September 2026.
Library Director Kristine Mostyn thanked the community for its support thus far for the addition.
The project is under the $5.2 million that was presented to the community for a Dec. 10, 2024 bond vote. That passed 223-214.
Mostyn said the total are now projected to be $4,980,323.
The construction bids totaled $3,892,623 with the following working on the project: Javen Construction of Rochester, general construction; TME Excavating of Hilton, site work; McGrain Mechanical of Rochester, HVAC; Erie Electric of Rochester, electric; LMC Industrial of Dansville, plumbing.
There also are expenses for soft costs – permits, legal, bonding, utility fees, inspections, and furniture, fixtures and equipment.
Jeanne Tuohey, a trustee for the Nioga Library System, praised Lee-Whedon for securing about $2 million in state funding towards the expansion, which also included acquiring two lots next door and demolishing the houses. The state is paying $1,669,444 of the construction costs for the addition.
Tuohey said libraries are much more than books. She said with the new meeting rooms and programming space, Lee-Whedon will become an even bigger community hub.
The expansion will go on the back of the current library, where there will also be a parking lot with 14 spaces.
The library is trying to raise $500,000 through a capital campaign in donations and already has 65 percent committed towards the project. Click here to see more on that campaign.
There is one anonymous donor at $50,000. Western New York Energy also gave $25,000. Jim and Barb Hancock also donated $25,000 and the new teen room will be named in their honor.
The library anticipates $2,839,556 in financing which would result in a tax impact of $34 per $100,000 of assessed property.
There were several people in the library today for the annual used book sale.
Many of the library events are in the open space inside. The “maker space” will be a separate room for some of the programs. The concerts will still be in the bigger open space.
The library received citations and commendations for breaking ground on the capital project. From left include Lynne Johnson, Orleans County Legislature chairwoman; Julia Bauer, community liaison for State Sen. Rob Ortt; library director Kristine Mostyn; and Assemblyman Steve Hawley.
The front entrance will be upgraded as part of the project.
Passero Associates created this rendering of the front of the building, which includes an overhang near the entrance. This is part of a $5 million capital project at the library, which includes a 4,785-square-foot addition.
