City Council OKs Plans to Overhaul Woburn Public Library

Photo Credit: WPL

Woburn’s City Council gathered to vote on the proposed $31.5 million plan to renovate and expand the Woburn Public Library on Monday evening. Plans will move forward as proposed following an overwhelming 8-1 vote.

The City was forced to make a decision by Sept. 15 or else Woburn would had missed out on a $9.9 million grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

Woburn Mayor Scott Galvin, along with the project’s architectural representatives, presented the improvement plans to the City Council back on Sept. 8. Galvin says the project will “invigorate and revitalize Woburn Center.”

The City will pay $13.5 million toward the total cost of the project, which will reflect a $35 increase in residential tax bills, according to Galvin.

The remaining $18 million in funding will come from an array of areas, including the previously mentioned state grant, donations and tax credits.

CBT Architects, of Boston, is designing the library upgrades. The library was originally designed by Henry Hobson Richardson.

According to plans, the 135-year-old building will be getting a new children’s area, teens area, glass paneling and three-story addition in the rear of the structure.