By EVAN NEMEROFF
Since 1961, when the library first opened, incoming and outgoing traffic has taken turns using its narrow driveway. When the Number One School next door was sold in July 2007, David Neuberg, the developer who bought the property in order to build luxury condos, granted the library an easement of 12 feet on the west side of its property — enough room for a second driveway.
While the Lawrence school district owned both the library and Number One School properties, school officials balked at the idea of granting an easement. “I gave the library the 12 feet of easement because they needed it,” Neuberg said. “I realized it won’t affect what I was doing, because we have plenty of property. I also wanted the community to have an exit to the library, because it was long overdue.”
Work began on the driveway on Aug. 25 — 50 percent of it funded by a Public Library Construction grant from the state. “This could not have gotten done without the work of our two state representatives Dean Skelos and Harvey Weisenberg, who have gone out of their way to help the library,” said Joan Lepelstat, co-president of the library’s Board of Trustees. “They helped us receive the library funding that was available, and have always had a general interest in libraries in New York state.”
Skelos, the state Senate majority leader, and Weisenberg, the assemblyman from Long Beach, along with members of the library board and residents, attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 16 that officially opened the new exit. “The driveway is very special to us,” Lepelstat said. “We [had a] desire to improve the quality of life for everybody that uses the library.”
“This is an important driveway, because everybody uses the library,” Weisenberg said. “The library is the heart of a community, and it was great working together with Dean on putting this all together.”
Skelos said he thinks the library will be an even greater success with the new addition. “There are all walks of life in this community, which makes it great to live in,” he said. “I am here to do positive things for the community, and helping build this driveway enhances this wonderful facility and makes it more accessible for the people. It helps the Peninsula Public Library grow in strength.”
Residents expressed their excitement about the addition. “After 47 years, I am very happy to see the driveway,” said Roy Meserole, a former library trustee. “The library has tried to get a driveway over the years, but was unsuccessful. It took three times before it was finally approved. The biggest problem with a single driveway was coming in, because cars going out couldn’t back up. Now there is more accessibility to get into and out of the library.”
Residents have lobbied through the years at Lawrence school board meetings for another driveway. “We took it upon ourselves to look into this driveway because it was so essential to our community,” said Arnie Rosenbaum, a long-time resident of the Five Towns. “We invaded all the board meetings ...”
Construction work was completed on Oct. 15, and parking is once again available in the lot. “I am thrilled beyond words to be able to have this celebration with all of you,” said Arleen Reo, the library’s director. “We are excited to continue to give our services, and now our driveway, to the community.”
Comments about this story? ENemeroff@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 210.
