Preservationists Hire Lawyer To Save New Canaan Library Building

NEW CANAAN, CT — The New Canaan Preservation Alliance has retained an attorney in its effort to save the New Canaan Library's original 1913 building, the group announced Friday.

Westport-based attorney Patricia Sullivan, a principal member of the law firm Cohen and Wolf, is joining the effort to save the building, which is slated to be demolished once a new library is constructed at the site.

Ground could be broken for the new library as early as the summer.

This week, the effort to save the historic building received a shot in the arm. A draft of the Memorandum of Understanding between the town and the private library entity said that preserving the building should be considered if "a viable and funded plan for preservation" is obtained and approved.

Sullivan's background includes serving as town attorney for Weston, and as assistant town attorney for Westport and associate town attorney for Wilton. Her legal expertise extends to land use and zoning, municipal and litigation and dispute resolution, among others areas of practice.

Patch reached out to Sullivan for comment but did not immediately receive a reply.

"Our attorney has an excellent and established reputation in municipal and land use law," said Neele-Banks Stichnoth, president of the Preservation Alliance Board. "Pat Sullivan
will be vital in assisting us in working with the Town and New Canaan Library in what has become a community effort to save the 1913 Library Building."