Lee-Whedon’s $5.2 million expansion goes to public vote on Dec. 10

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Lee-Whedon  Memorial Library was constructed in 1966 as an 11,000-square-foot public library. The building could get an 4,785-square-foot expansion.

MEDINA – The Lee-Whedon Memorial Library on Dec. 10 will ask voters for permission for a $5.2 million bond to expand the library.

The vote will decide whether Lee-Whedon can proceed with a 4,785-square-foot addition to the back. The project would add 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.

The library has scaled back the expansion, eliminating some of the decorative architectural elements. A year ago, the building project was estimated in the $7-$9 million range. The library scaled back some of the features of that plan, while keeping the space for the addition.

Lee-Whedon has already secured $795,320 in grant funding from the state and is actively applying for additional funds, said Kristine Mostyn, Lee-Whedon director. She estimated Lee-Whedon will be able to secure $1.6 million in total from the state.

The library also anticipates raising $500,000 form the community in a capital campaign drive. Lee-Whedon also has $175,000 in reserves towards the project.

Library leaders expect $2.9 million of the project will be paid for with a bond. That will result in a $34 per year increase in library taxes for properties valued at $100,000.

There will be an informational meeting at 6 p.m. on Dec. 3 at the library. Passero Associates will present renderings of the proposed expansion and Christine Crowley of Fiscal Advisors will present the financial data.

Lee-Whedon Memorial Library was constructed in 1966 at 11,000 square feet. The addition is planned for the back side of the building along North Avenue.

If the bond is approved on Dec. 10 in the public vote, Lee-Whedon anticipates bids will be solicited in the spring, with construction starting in the summer/fall and being complete in December 2026.

For more information, click here to be directed to the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library website.

Here is the floor plan for the building’s expansion.