SBPL Construction Project Groundbreaking Held on September 9

On September 9 the South Brunswick Public Library held a Groundbreaking Ceremony for the South Brunswick Public Library, Christopher J. Killmurray Building’s “Building the Next Chapter: Constructing Community Spaces” expansion and renovations project.

Guests included South Brunswick Mayor Charlie Carley and Council, as well as State Senator Andrew Zwicker. About 100 members of the public were in attendance. The event was hosted by the South Brunswick Public Library Board of Trustees.

South Brunswick Mayor Charlie Carley and Council have committed $4.6 million from the township. “The Library is an important part of our town and we have forged a municipal, state, and federal partnership to see it improved and expanded,” said Mayor Carley.

Mayor and Council have awarded a contract for the project to Shorelands Construction, Inc. of Monmouth Beach, NJ. The total cost of the project with construction, design, engineering, furniture, fixtures and equipment is expected to be just over $11 million. About 60% of the funding for the project will come from grants and fundraising.

Last June, State Senator Andrew Zwicker sponsored Budget Resolution 2048 in the state’s 2024 budget, resulting in $1.5 million in aid for the Library project from property tax relief funds, directly helping South Brunswick taxpayers. This occurred after continued talks with Library Director Chris Carbone, Capital Campaign Chair Bina Mehta and Mayor Carley. The state aid is in addition to $500,000 which Senator Zwicker and Assemblyman Freiman were able to secure in Local Government Services State Aid through the Property Tax Relief Fund in the FY23 New Jersey State Budget.

During the ceremony, Senator Zwicker presented a ceremonial check for $1.5 million to Mayor Carley, SBPL Foundation President M.Z. Patel, SBPL Foundation Vice President and Capital Campaign Chair Bina Mehta, and Library Director Chris Carbone.

“The planned upgrade and expansion of the facility will help transform the Library, not just into a place to study or to find a favorite book, but as an anchor of the South Brunswick community,” said Senator Zwicker.

U.S. Representative Bonnie Watson-Coleman obtained a federal funding grant for $405,000 and the Library Board of Trustees and Library Foundation has raised about $600,000.

The project is also supported by funds awarded in November 2020 in the amount of $3,586,852 through the New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act, administered by the New Jersey State Library.

The design focuses on constructing community spaces where residents can gather, learn and engage. The plan includes interior renovations, such as HVAC repairs and ADA upgrades, and features a 10,000 square foot addition and enlarged parking area. The new space will include a large meeting room, lobby and a 128-seat auditorium with stage. Renovated space will enlarge the Teen area, provide small collaboration rooms, a Quiet room, new Conference Room, and allow for an Innovation Lab.

Construction is anticipated to begin in mid-October, 2023 with completion in spring, 2025. During construction the Library will have some occasional closings or brief interruptions in service. Please visit our website (www.sbpl.info) for the latest information.

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