We learned last week that the upgrading to the Amtrak train station, budgeted at $12 million, will only cost $8.4 million largely due to the lack of construction work in this recession.
We also were made aware that the expansion program for the Moores Memorial Library in Christiana has received $250,000 in Urban enhancement Grant money from the County Commissioners.
Earlier this year the board of directors of the Lancaster Public Library (Duke Street) were advised by their project manager that the maximum of $1.3 million needed to be raised through a yet to be launched capital campaign probably would shrink by a quarter of a million dollars due to the times, and that the Commissioners were likely to make a substantial contribution when requested. Also the director in charge of overseeing fund raising was promised an additional half million dollar grant if needed.
Nevertheless, the board reversed its previous unanimous support and canceled the remodeling and renovation phase, thus forfeiting a million dollars in State and private grant money after spending over a half a million in plans and studies.
A feasibility report had indicated of $2.5 million in contributions for the remodeling and expansion project would be forthcoming.
Advocate of cancellation John McGrann ascended to the presidency when the position was vacated in protest. Collaborator Gary Weaver remains vice-president. Library Director Debra Rosser-Hogben, upon her subsequently voluntary resignation, defended the board’s actions and implicitly her role.
State and local officials shrugged their heads in dismay. Potential major contributors were shocked. Volunteers who had contributed their expertise to the project were disappointed. Over 1,300 Lancastrians are daily deprived of a state-of-the-art downtown library.
And for the two who had labored longest and hardest, the pain doesn’t get any less.
