Former library up for sale

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PRINCETON — The former Matson Public Library building is one step closer to getting put up for sale.

At Wednesday’s library board meeting, board president Laurie Bonucci reported the library board now has a clear title to the former Matson Library property and building, located at 15 Park Ave. West. The clear title gives the library board the authorization to put the building and property up for sale. The 15 Park Ave. West building had originally been stipulated for exclusive use as a library.

At Wednesday’s board meeting, the board appointed a committee to talk with Princeton Mayor Keith Cain about the Matson property and building, which will be sold at public auction. The committee is expected to report back to the full board at its March 19 meeting.

Princeton Zoning Officer Pete Nelson said the Park Avenue site is currently zoned as Business 1, which is for pedestrian-style retail businesses. Those types of businesses could include, in part, things like some limited professional offices, an art gallery, bank, restaurant, or a social club or lodge. Any change of use from the previous library use would need to be reviewed by the city to make sure it complies with city codes, Nelson said.

The former Matson Public Library was vacated last summer when the library board completed its $3.1 million renovation project on the former Bogo’s building, located at 698 E. Peru St. The new library opened its door  on Aug. 1, 2007.

On Monday, Capital Campaign chairman Stephanie VanOrdstrand said it looks like the $3.1 million building project will come in under budget. Some final bills are yet to be received, but things are looking good, she said.

The board had projected to fund the building project through $2 million in bonds, $600,000 from the capital campaign, and $500,000 from reserves.

VanOrdstrand said she’s very pleased with the capital campaign which has raised just at $465,000 for the building project. There are still a couple outstanding donations to be received.

Naming rights are also still available for the library building itself, the children’s department and community meeting rooms, as well as several smaller items such as book cases. A variety of pledge options are available for the naming rights, VanOrdstrand said.

At the Feb. 19 meeting, the library board also voted to go ahead with a second donor wall to honor those making Friends of the Library designated donations. The first donor wall has been installed, with about 19 donor names etched on plates. The board still has nearly 50 more names to install on the second donor wall.

In addition to the second donor wall, the board is also still working on interior signage to honor those people contributing to naming rights for interior furniture and items, VanOrdstrand said.

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