It’s one thing when politicians tell us untruths — it’s another when we do that to ourselves and each other.
There are a number of folks in Greenfield that claim we can build a new library for less. They either focus on $19.5 million, as approved by the council or the $8 million the town would spend after accepting the $9.4 million grant. They claim we could spend something like $4 million to $5 million, the amount spent on the Jon Zon Community Center even though library buildings are more costly since they have to support the weight of books.
What size library would we get for $5 million? Monday’s Recorder article about Erving’s new library gives you an idea of what you get when you spend less.
Erving (pop 1,796) is building a new 8,300-square-foot library for $4.9 million. Greenfield (pop 17,492) has the chance to build a new 26,800-square-foot library costing $19.5 million ($8 million net of the $9.4 million grant and fundraising). Greenfield’s other alternative is a mandate to renovate the existing library for $8.6 million, down-sizing to around 10,000 square feet of floor space after complying with current state and federal requirements.
Even if we wanted to spend less, library construction costs a lot. New construction costs range between $575 to $825 per square foot. Our cost of $727 per square foot is within this range. Renovations or additions are also costly ranging between $400 to $900 per square foot. (Source: Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners)
Is a library – like Erving’s — costing $4.9 million ($590 per square foot) right for Greenfield? Erving is a town 1/10th the size of Greenfield. Their library will be less than one-third the size of Greenfield’s new library or a little more than three-quarters the size of a renovated library.
Unfortunately, Greenfield must do something. Either we spend $8.6 million more or less to renovate the current library or build a new one. If we spend less – like $4 million to $5 million as some people suggest — we get a library suitable for a smaller town that will not serve the needs of a city the size of Greenfield.
There is no free lunch. Spend less; get less. Get less library; get less in the way of services. Current and future Greenfield residents deserve better. Our children and current or future grandchildren deserve better. The city needs a library that can serve its residents now and into the future.
Claiming we could build a library for less and properly serve Greenfield is a dream. Here’s what’s real: Take the grant money. It is yours because it’s from taxes you’ve already paid.
Then get out and vote Yes for the new library on Nov. 5.
Jim Geisman is a resident of Greenfield.