Efforts Continue To Save 1913 Library Building In New Canaan

NEW CANAAN, CT — The plans for a new library in New Canaan were thrown a bit of a wrinkle this week when a draft of the Memorandum of Understanding document between the town and the library included the faint possibility of preserving the original 1913 building.

The proposal for a $35 million New Canaan Library has long planned for the eventual demolition of the historic building to make room for the new building and grounds. But a persistent group of residents has fought to preserve the original building.

Those "concerned citizens," as they are called in the memorandum, may still have a chance at saving the building.

In the draft of the document, which spells out terms of the public-private partnership between the town and the incorporated library, it says the following:

The Library and the Town acknowledge that the Library’s plans for the new Library building provide for demolition of the original Library building (the "1913 Building") and that a group of concerned citizens has expressed interest in preserving the 1913 Building. Subject to prior action by the Commission or the Town Council resolving the future of the 1913 Building, until completion of the new Library building, the Library will not take action that will preclude preservation of the 1913 Building. If, by the time of completion of the new Library building, a viable and funded plan for preservation of the 1913 Building has been presented to the Commission for approval, then the Library will incorporate the preservation of the 1913 Building into the Building Project.

This language does not mean the building will be saved. Library officials are hoping to break ground on the new library this year, and the plan continues to be to demolish the old structure once the new one is completed.

On Tuesday, the New Canaan Board of Selectmen approved the draft of the memorandum in an effort to continue to move the project forward.

Before the approval, some residents expressed their support of preserving the 1913 building.

"There's been an outpouring of support for the building to remain," said Kimberly Norton.

The sentiment was echoed by Irene Hendricks. "It's an integral part of downtown New Canaan."