Selectmen Want To Buy Darien Library Property For $4.1 Million

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Paper: Darien News-Review (CT) Title: Selectmen Want to Buy Darien Library Property for $4.1 Million Date: April 11, 2007

The town of Darien wants to spend a little over $4 million to purchase the soon-to-be former site of the Darien Library on Leroy Avenue and possibly use it as housing. On Monday, the Board of Selectmen unanimously voted to request appropriation from the Board of Finance for $4,125,000. The expenditure would also have to be approved by the Representative Town Meeting. Selectmen described the decision as a collaborative effort. "I am excited about this for the community," Selectman Linda Santarella said. The executive director of the Darien Library, Louise Berry, said library officials are very pleased the town is taking steps to acquire the property. She added that "the money from the sale of this building will give us the money we need to move forward with the new library, in order to meet the completion goals." The Darien Library broke ground last month on a parcel at Post Road and Hecker Avenue, and the 54,000-square-foot building is expected to open in fall 2008. The library's original asking price for its current home at 35 Leroy Ave. was $3,750,000. Berry described the price approved by the Board of Selectmen as "fair," even though it is likely less than what the library could receive from a private developer. In a written statement issued Tuesday, Kim Huffard, president of the library's board of trustees said, "During the past two years, the library has been approached by more than two dozen public and private parties who each expressed an interest in purchasing the property when it became available. The library trustees were taking final steps to institute an open bidding process for sale of the property when it became aware of the town of Darien's active interest in acquiring the library site. The library trustees agreed to delay the open bidding process and give the town a unique opportunity to purchase the site through an exclusive offer." Berry said the library's ties to the town were a factor in deciding to try to reach an agreement. "Even though we have fiduciary responsibility to the library, we felt the library should offer the town a chance to purchase it first because we have a public-private partnership, and it is difficult for the town to compete in an open-bidding process," Berry said. At the March groundbreaking ceremony for the new library, Selectman Paul Hendrickson said several people approached him about the town's possible purchase of the old site. Selectman Barbara Thorne said that the site could be a potential spot for affordable housing. "We are hearing a need for affordable housing loud and clear," she said. Board of Finance member Peter Hovell said, "I think it is a very good idea for the town to purchase the property for affordable housing." At press time, it was unclear when the request to appropriate funds might reach the Board of Finance's agenda. After due diligence, the board will vote on whether to appropriate the funds. If the finance board follows suit with the Board of Selectmen, the RTM would have the final say on whether to dip into the town's coffers.

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"We are very optimistic and hopeful we would like to settle fairly soon because it impacts our fundraising efforts," Berry said. "It (the purchase) is an investment in our town," said Selectman Susan Young. "We feel this is our contribution to the new library." (c) 2007 Darien News-Review. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Media NewsGroup, Inc. by NewsBank, Inc.

Author: Keysha Whitaker Section: Top Stories (c) 2007 Darien News-Review. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Media NewsGroup, Inc. by NewsBank, Inc.

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