Architect Urges New Canaan to Save Iconic Beaux Arts 1913 Library

To the Editor:

Although I have worked professionally for over thirty years in the repurposing and preservation of historic buildings, I write to you as a concerned, current New Canaan resident, having lived in New Canaan for over thirty-six years, the majority of the time at 38 East Maple Street.

I offer the following in support of preserving and repurposing the original 1913 building and its 1935 gallery addition in its current location (3,600 SF):

1. The iconic building at the corner of Main and Cherry is recognized as a NC Historic Town Landmark:
   • New Canaan Historic Society, “Landmarks of New Canaan,” 1951.
   • NC Historic Architectural Resources Survey, 1987.
   • NC P&ZC Plan of Conservation and Development recognized building as an historic, integral part of New Canaan’s town’s character, 2014.
   • CT Historic Buildings of Connecticut, current state website.
2. The Village District and NC Plan of Conservation and Development as well as Connecticut Statute for Village District 8-2J should be respected and upheld by the NC P&Z Commission.
3. It is not necessary to sacrifice a splendid, century-old landmark for an incongruous, glaringly out of context, (supposedly homage to our mid-century modernism)…it is anything but. This is a library marketing strategy to try and “sell” a building that is more suitable to a modern college campus or office development. Previously, I had respect for the architects, but this is not an exemplary example of Centerbrook’s work.
4. The NCPA/Friends of Our 1913 Library and Preservation Team, in conjunction with Architectural Preservation Studio study (2020) demonstrates that the historic building is in excellent condition (contrary to what the Library reports). The 1979 SMS Architects structure drawings substantiate this evidence (SMS was the architect of record for several library renovations and additions (before and after 1979), and I was personally privy to Sherwood Mills and Smith Architects information and old library drawings when I worked with Willis Mills Jr. during the years 1986-2000, prior to SMS Architects acquisition by Perkins Eastman).
5. Any proposed library expansion and parking should be evaluated within the current Zoning regulations. A “spot” zoning “overlay zone” written specifically to accommodate the proposed NC library plan circumvents existing zoning regulations and should not be permitted. Even when overlay zones are approved in surrounding jurisdictions, the underlying zone requirements are protected, such as setbacks, parking, Village District zone, Plan of Conservation and Development. Parking should conform to current requirements.
6. The Town “gives” (land for library parking and monetary gifts) should require the Library, a purportedly private entity (when in fact the Town supports the Library with taxpayer dollars), to relinquish the 1913/1935 parcel in exchange for on-going taxpayer “gifts”.
7. With the decline in local and national library usage (before covid) and the new age of technology, the validity of the library’s “ask” should be closely scrutinized. I suggest that the proposed new library building is already outdated, before being built. Additionally, the building cost is more in the realm of $40-50 million, not $38 million as purported by the Library. New Canaan should require the Library to be transparent in funding, construction cost analysis and operating costs.
8. The proposed “Lawn” that commandeers the old library is superfluous, grandiose, and planning wise, inappropriately located (busy state road intersection w/ high traffic accident rate), ADA accessibility issues and should be denied.

I respectfully request that that the current Library application, as submitted, be denied and that any forthcoming approvals be contingent on the repurposing and preservation of 1913 in its current location.

Respectfully,

Lea Cromwell

Centerline LLC

Cc: Town Council, Board of Finance, Board of Selectmen