MELROSE — The City Council this week officially saw the financial extent of turning the Melrose Public Library into a modern facility.

On Monday, September 13, the Melrose Public Library Renovation project appeared on the City Council agenda for the first time since the City was awarded $8.2 million in state grants toward the project earlier this summer. Now the councilors are being asked to sign off on borrowing $21,010,000 more. 

Order 2022-29 was assigned to the Appropriations Committee.

“This is an incredible opportunity for Melrose. For about fifty cents on the dollar, we can have a modern and accessible library that will serve our community for decades, all while restoring and preserving the historic Carnegie building,” said Mayor Paul Brodeur. “I’m looking forward to presenting the project to the Council in greater detail as it moves through the legislative process.”

Members of the public will have the opportunity to submit public comment about the project at the Appropriations Committee meeting (yet to be scheduled), and the administration and other project stakeholders will present the project to the committee and answer questions. The committee will vote on whether to recommend Order 2022-29 for passage, after which point the order will return to the full Council for a final vote.

“There will be ample opportunity for the public to weigh in on the project,” Mayor Brodeur said.

Earlier this month, Mayor Brodeur presented the current status of the project in a public panel alongside Library Director Linda Gardener, Chief Financial Officer Patrick Dello Russo, Planning Director Denise Gaffey, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Communications, Margot Fleischman, and Charlie Hay of Tappé Architects.

“Thus far we’ve had a very positive response from the public about the project,” said Gardener. “This community really loves its library, and Melrosians deserve a healthy building that is safe, equitable, and that meets their 21st-century needs.

Individuals interested in receiving updates about the building project can sign up at https://www.cityofmelrose.org/subscribe.