Construction on Our New Facility Has Begun!
We are excited to announce that construction began in early September 2023!
Follow updates on our Construction Update Page: Click Here.
Thank You For Your Support!
On Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, community residents approved the Gold Coast Public Library bond to support the purchase of 2.62 acres located on Glen Head Road for the purpose of constructing a larger modern library. The total projected cost is $11,399,500, of which $539,500 will be funded using library funds. The total of the approved bond will be $10,800,000. The final vote was: YES: 698, NO: 274.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Proposed New Library
Information Posted prior to the vote in December 2020, Updates Notes Where Applicable
The Gold Coast Public Library Board of Trustees and Library Director Mike Morea want to ensure that all residents and patrons of the library have the information needed to participate in the decision to purchase land and construct a new, larger library.
The questions below have been asked by residents during the three public virtual work sessions, via email and in person at the library, and the answers are shared with the community. We will continue to add information as the project progresses
GENERAL INFORMATION
What were the main criteria when looking for a suitable location for a new library?
The following criteria were considered when planning for a new library: a centrally located space within our community to accommodate a larger library that would meet current and future needs as shared by the community; ample space for daily parking and flexibility for community activities; usable outdoor space; a new larger library design that did not require additional employees; and affordability for the community.
Before deciding on 180 Glen Head Road, what other alternative properties were considered?
The Board explored locations on the eastern side of Glen Cove Road, north of Glen Head Road, the former Bohack Supermarket and another building on Glen Head Road, the Town of Oyster Bay Community Center, the American Legion, an office building on Underhill Road and other buildings on Railroad Avenue, including purchasing the Library Annex. However, those facilities were either not available or available at a purchase price that was not in the best interest of the community and/or did not meet the established criteria for a new library.
PROPOSED NEW LIBRARY DESIGN
Is the site plan and interior design the final design or is there an opportunity for the community to provide input?
The interior floor plan and site plan presented during the three community workshops were preliminary. The designs were meant to enable residents to envision what the new library could look like and to provide input. The designs reflected the community survey results and feedback from residents and community organizations.
How will the emotional connections between the community and the current library be preserved within the design of the new library?
Patrons have all expressed feeling a strong connection with the library as well as a desire to maintain that quality; the plan is to preserve that sense of community. That emotional connection is something everyone feels strongly about and definitely wants to preserve. The new proposed library, while larger, is all on one floor to support that sense of connectivity. The exterior design reflects the thoughts expressed by the community.
How large will the new proposed library be?
The proposed new library would be approximately 10,000-11,000 square feet.
Is there enough additional shelf space in the new design?
Yes, there will be 50% more additional shelf space in the new library. In addition, the bookshelves will not be secured to the floor, allowing for more flexibility to accommodate shelf space as needed. The additional shelving space will also allow the library to keep materials available to the community longer.
Will trees be removed from the west side of the building?
The goal is to remove as little greenery as possible; however, some clearing will be needed.
The proposed new library will include a community room with a maximum capacity of 108. Has enough space been designated for parking?
We believe the 53 spots currently in the site plan will be sufficient to accommodate needed parking.
What is the timeline for the completion of the project?
If approved by the community, construction work could begin as early as the summer of 2021. It is anticipated the work would be completed by the end of 2022.
Updated 9/2023: Due to an longer than expected permits process construction on the new Library was delayed until September 2023. The opening of the new Library is tentatively expected for December 2024 / early 2025.
What will happen to the building currently located on the property?
The building referred to is not located on the side of the property the library would purchase. That area of the property has been sold to a commercial developer.
Updated 9/23/23: This property is now the site of Life Storage which opened in 2022.
Where is the lake located on the site map?
The storm water recharge basin is not located on the side of the property the library would purchase. That area of the property has been sold to a commercial developer.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Why is now the best time to purchase this land and build a new library?
It has taken considerable time and research to find the most suitable location, within our community, to present for approval. The other half of the Halm property has already been sold. Even though property sales have increased in the past several months, the originally negotiated price is locked in. Purchasing the property will also preserve the integrity of our community. While construction will mean developing the land, a benefit is that it will remain space used by our community without additional strain on public resources.
Why does the community need to vote on this project now?
While this may not be the most ideal time to seek the community’s approval on this project, we believe we need to let the community decide. The Board has done considerable community analysis and outreach, evaluated multiple properties and factored into consideration several points:
- There are limited properties available within the community that meet current and future needs at an affordable cost.
- The purchase price was negotiated and locked in before the pandemic and does not reflect the significant rise in property values on Long Island.
- The property owner has expressed the desire to sell the property by the end of 2020.
- If the library does not purchase the land, there is no telling who will.
- If the land is purchased by an outside developer, there is a chance the community will have little or no say in how that property is developed and the potential impact to the community.
- Once the new library is opened, the plan is to sell the current library.
What is the total cost of the proposed project?
It is projected the total cost of the proposed project will be $11.3 million. Of that, $10.8 will be funded through the bond and the remaining cost will be supported by the library’s capital reserve fund. It is also anticipated that the library will be eligible for New York State Library Construction Grants.
What plan is in place to deal with unanticipated additional project costs?
The estimated cost of the project includes a 10% contingency, which is the industry standard, to cover the cost of any unanticipated expenses.
Additionally, the Library will pursue grant opportunities to provide additional funding streams for the project.
Updated 9/23/23: The Library applied for and was awarded New York State Library Construction Aid funds in both 2022 and 2023 for elements of the project that will bring $366,355 of State Funding to our Library District. The Library will continue to pursue additional opportunities.
What is the Tax Impact to Homeowners for this project?
In 2020, for every $500,000 of assessed fair market value, a household currently pays an estimated $100 per year in library tax. Based on these assessments, to fund this project, the additional cost would be approximately $5 per month or $60 per year for every $500,000 of assessed fair market value.
If approved, when would the community begin to pay for the new library?
Community residents would not begin to pay until 2022.
Updated 9/2023: In 2022, the Library Tax Levy included the first year of debt service on the Library’s New Building Project at a conservative estimate $750,000. While this additional levy was approved by the community in December 2020, this addition also represented an inadvertent exceeding of the Library’s Tax Cap limit in 2022 without Board resolution. The Library Board will took action to exceed the tax levy limit in 2023 and the excess $750,000 collected in 2022 was used to offset the levy for 2023. In February 2023, the Board of Trustees completed the 20 year financing of the project through DASNY with a final average annual debt service of $765,000.
How much will it cost to operate the new library?
Currently the cost to operate the library is among the lowest in Nassau County. Under this plan that will continue to be true. The goal is to be able to continue to operate as close as possible to our current operating budget. While the new library will cost more to operate, it is anticipated that most of the increased cost will be absorbed by eliminating the $100,000 annual rent currently being paid for the Library Annex. The library has the staff and the collections budgets needed to operate in a larger facility.
THE VOTE
On Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, community residents approved the Gold Coast Public Library bond to support the purchase of 2.62 acres located on Glen Head Road for the purpose of constructing a larger modern library. The total projected cost is $11,399,500, of which $539,500 will be funded using library funds. The total of the approved bond will be $10,800,000. The final vote was: YES: 698, NO: 274.
Click here for the full mailer sent to residents in late September 2020 (English & Spanish)
Click here for our Planning for the Future Flyer including important dates (English & Spanish)
Click here for the voter guide mailer sent to residents in mid November 2020 ( English / Spanish )