Town leaders are close to approving expansion plans for the library following a redesign made possible with state money. A state grant approved this fall provided $5 million more to the $17 million library project, which allowed an increase to the square footage as well as design improvements and other upgrades. Additional money will also allow an upgrade to the exterior aesthetics of the proposed library, which had been criticized by some town officials and residents. State money also funded an expansion of the building. A change to the original plan goes back to the Planning and Zoning Commission for approval on Tuesday. Town leaders had initially pitched the idea of a 30,000-square-foot library to voters prior to last year’s $17 million referendum. When costs of such a building came in high, the plan was reduced to about 24,000 square feet. The addition of $5 million allows the construction of a library closer to the initial size. Town officials hope to open the new library in the fall of next year.
https://www.myrecordjournal.com/News/Southington/Southington-News/New-look-of-Southington-library-unveiled.html