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Managing Editor SPRINGFIELD Mayor Domenic Sarno's announcement on Aug. 26 of the selection of the building housing Muhammad Mosque #13 came as a surprise to the very people who have advocated for a new library for the past five years the Mason Square Library Advisory Committee. Kat Wright, a member of the committee, said that while she was pleased with the building at 727 State St. literally within sight of the former library that was sold to the Urban League, she wishes Sarno had spoken with members of the committee. "Those of us who have been working hard for the past five years to restore a proper library to Mason Square would have appreciated, if not consultation (and I understand the negotiations were kept confidential for what I hope were appropriate reasons), then at least a pre-announcement notification. If I had known the Mayor was holding a press conference to announce this decision, I would have been there!" Wright told Reminder Publications. Reflecting the bitterness in the area over the sale of the former library to the Urban League of Springfield, Wright also said, "I am sorry the Urban League gets to stay in the building they stole from the people of this community. However, I hope that we are all ready to move forward to create fantastic new branch library, better (and with more room) than the old one. The ReadWriteNow program that was kicked out of the old building when the Urban League took possession will be able to come back to Mason Square, with lots and lots of classroom and administrative space." Wright added, "I am hopeful that the funding will be available, but am curious and rather distressed that the Mayor didn't secure the approval of the Library Foundation before making the announcement." The Library Foundation is a separate non-profit entity that was created to manage the endowments the libraries have such as the Annie Curran endowment for the Mason Square Library and to provide a vehicle for charitable donations to aid the library system now that is part of the city government. Former Mayor Charles Ryan is president of the foundation. Emily Bader, the director of the city's libraries, was not asked to attend the press conference and said she did not know the decision to find a new location for the library had been made until the mayor made his announcement. She explained that she had toured the building last year when it was under consideration by the selection committee, but could not comment at this time on what renovations would have to be undertaken to prepare it to be a library. In his remarks released by his office, Sarno said, "I don't need to tell you that the matter of the Mason Square Library is one that has languished for far too long remaining unresolved under the Ryan Administration and inherited by me upon taking office in January." "I am especially pleased to make this announcement today because it is 100 percent aligned with the recommendation brought forward by the community as it is represented by the Mason Square Library Steering Committee," he said. The Muhammad Mosque #13 building was one of the sites that was discussed and approved by the search committee Ryan started. Negoiations for the sale were not unsuccessful until recently. "I am pleased to announce today that the Sarno Administration has brokered an agreement with owners of the property located at 727 State Street, commonly known as Muhammad Mosque #13, for the sale of that building to the City of Springfield for the sole purpose of a Mason Square Library for a sum of $950,000.00," Sarno said. He added the original asking price was $1.2 million. According to city records the appraised value of the property is $362,800. Sarno said he would move quickly to close the transaction and stated, "To that end, I will immediately request that the Board of the Springfield Library Foundation release funding for the building's purchase." | ||||||
