Library plan disturbs residents

      Merrick residents have mixed feelings about a revised proposal for a new, state-of-the-art Merrick Library.
       Earlier this year, the library board unveiled plans to construct a 30,000-square-foot, three-level facility. To do so, the existing 14,500-square foot structure would be demolished, and a new facility would be constructed at Merrick Avenue and Narwood Road.
       During a recent community meeting, however, the library board said that construction of such a large facility is unnecessary, and introduced revised plans that call for the construction of a 24,000-square-foot building. In doing so, the library would be built as a three-story structure without a sub-floor. Several esidents say the new plan would give the community an inadequate library.
      The revised plans were presented to the more than 50 residents and community leaders who attended the Wednesday, June 13 public meeting at the Roland Chatterton Elementary School. Also present were representatives from Hardy, Holzman, Pfeiffer Associations, a Manhattan-based architectural firm; Michael Conte, a consultant with Syntax Communications in West Sayville; Kevin Settembrino of Turner Construction, a Melville-based construction management firm; members of the library board and employees of the Merrick Library.
       In an interview with the Herald, Conte said that reducing the building's size by 6,000 square feet would enable the library to serve the community's needs. "We shaved down the size of the building a little because it did not need to be as large as it was," said
Conte. "Eighteen-thousand square feet of community space is needed accommodate the growing library. We can do that by constructing a building that's 24,000 square feet rather than 30,000."
      Conte also said that right now only about 8,500 square feet of the 14,500-square-foot library is available for public use, while the remaining space is occupied by staff offices, stairwells, hallways and closets.
      In addition to reducing the library's size, the plans also call for elimination of the facility's sub-floor. In May, architects proposed constructing a library that would measure about 30 feet high and 130 feet long, with two floors above ground and one sub-floor. The new proposal calls for a three-level library, with one floor at grade and two floors above grade.
      Ron Coones, whose Narwood Court home abuts the library, said he is concerned that eliminating the sub-floor has to do with gasoline found in the ground water near the library. The gas plume, the remnant of a 1997 leak at the adjacent Exxon station, was uncovered in December when engineers began probing the property for the library's expansion project. "This whole change in plans is so last minute," said Coones. "I can't help but wonder if it has something to do with the Exxon spill."
      Mike Lagana, of Narwood Avenue, said there was mention at the meeting that eliminating the sub-floor would avoid all contact with the spill. "Someone, I believe from Turner [Construction], said that no basement would mean no problems from the gas spill," said Lagana. "It's hard to think the gas spill has no effect on their plans when words to that extent were said. They seem to have decided the way to deal with the spill is to build the new library without a basement."
      In February, tests performed by the state Department of Environmental Conservation found no gasoline in and around the library, and library officials were given the go-ahead to build at the site. "The plume is not on the library's property," said Conte. "The property has been tested and there are no elements associated with the spill impacting the library. It is moving away from the building."
Conte also said that eliminating the sub-floor would provide easier access into the building. "If we build it below grade, we would have the same problem we have now," he said. "[Patrons] entering the building would have to walk up steps to get into the building. If we build at grade, people will enter at grade."
      Elimination of the sub-floor would also increase the library's height by about seven feet. Having a building that is nearly 40 foot tall in a residential area, however, does not sit well with homeowners. "Building a building that size on such a limited piece of property would be out of place in a residential area," said Coones. "It would stick out like a sore thumb."
      Lagana agreed, saying, "I don't see how it can fit in with the community given the way it has been designed and the small size of the property. A building that is three stories high will overwhelm the neighborhood. The urbanization we moved here to avoid is moving into Nassau County by them tearing down trees, taking away open space and putting large buildings on small properties."
       When designing the building, Conte said that the architect will work to meet residents' concerns. "This is a community library in a residential area," said Conte. "The architect will design it in a way that replicates the roof lines that currently exist and try to use materials that are replica of the homes in the area. It will be designed to reflect the neighborhood it is in."
      According to plans, the new library would offer children's services and a community-meeting room on the first floor; public services for young adults and adults, including reference and computer services on the second floor; and fiction materials and quiet reading areas on the thirds floor. All utilities would be modernized, and the building would be brought into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
       How a three-story building will provide easy access to those unable with difficulties does not make sense to Lagana. "There will be no adult services offered on the ground floor," he said. "I can't think of a library that would consider itself friendly to the disabled and the elderly that is built on three floors."
      Lagana also said that with parking already a problem at the library, he does not see how the new facility would provide ample parking, especially for disabled or elderly patrons.
       Library officials say they plan to design the building in a way
that can accommodate about 20 more parking spaces. With less than an acre of property to work with, Coones said there is no way the library would be able to offer enough parking spots necessary to accommodate patrons.
      "Most of the libraries being built today have at least two acres of land," said Coones. "A library being built on 24,000 square feet needs to provide parking for at least 100 cars. With a limited amount of parking already available and the building being made larger, parking is going to continue to be a problem."

Subhead: Seeking alternatives
      Coones suggest that the library board continue looking into alternate sites. "The library board should pursue other sites that may be more viable," said Coones. "I'm sure they would rather have more property, without barriers, somewhere else."
      Barry Fox, co-president of the Merrick Park Home Owners Association, suggests constructing the new library at Broadcast Plaza where Stone Caterers now is. A three-screen, 700-seat movie theater has been approved for the site, but construction -- which was originally set to be complete by April -- has not yet begun. "It's almost July and there has not been a single mark of progress has been made on the movie theater," said Fox. "Why not use that space for the library? It can be a big or as tall as they want it, and with 1,400 parking spaces available at the railroad station, there is plenty of parking available."
      Coones also suggested building the library on industrial property east of Merrick Avenue near the Merrick Mall because it would be "perfect for the revitalization of downtown Merrick." Although experts have said the property may be contaminated, Coones does not see a difference between building there or at the current site. "The site the library is being on is already contaminated," he said. "If there is contamination at the industrial property, all they would have to do is construct the library without a basement like they are proposing at the current site."
      Conte said any resident with an idea for a library site should present it to the board.
      Before the board can move ahead with construction, the proposal must go to public vote.
"Everybody is in favor of a good library, but it also has to be the right kind of library building," said Lagana. "I would favor a library that meets the needs of the community. This library does not fit our needs."
      He also said that the timing of the project is not good. "This is one of those rare times when all of Nassau taxes are in flux," said Lagana. "Nobody really knows what their tax bill is going to be, and a library protect will definitely increase taxes."
      Coones said, "The library has been an excellent neighbor, and the board has been trying their best. I am in favor of a new library and I understand that they are in a bind, but if I had to vote now, I would vote no. They lost my interest once they proposed it being a three-story building."