The New York Public Library and City Council Member Linares Announce Full Funding for the Renovation of the Fort Washington Branch Library

New York, July 17, 2000 -- This afternoon at 3:30 p.m. New York City Council Member Guillermo Linares joined Norman Holman, Director of The Branch Libraries, to announce that full funding is in place for a $3.1 million renovation of the Fort Washington Branch Library. This announcement took place during a Summer Reading Club storytelling program in the children's room of the Fort Washington Branch, located at 535 West 179th Street near  St. Nicholas Avenue in Northern Manhattan.

The Fort Washington Branch was one of the 65 libraries built with funds donated to the City of New York by Andrew Carnegie. The 1914 three-story limestone structure, located two blocks east of the George Washington Bridge, was originally designed by architects Walter Cook and Winthrop A. Welch. The branch is named after the Revolutionary War  fort that stood on the highest natural elevation in Manhattan and fell to British and  Hessian troops in November 1776.

The $3.1 million in funding secured by Council Member Linares allows for the first major renovation of the Fort Washington Branch since it opened its doors in 1914.

The renovation will include installation of an elevator to all floors and handicapped access to the front door. The long unused third floor of the branch will be made accessible and allow for the expansion of library services, particularly for children's programming and  use of information technology. A renovated Fort Washington will provide the community with broad access to technology and technology programs so critical to success in today's business and education environments.

The facade of the building will be cleaned and repaired and the library's collections and programming will be expanded. Improvements to the building will also include:

• an upgrade or replacement of the HVAC and mechanical systems
• new electrical and telecommunications wiring
• a reconfiguration of floor plans throughout the building
• new finishes, furniture, and equipment

Managed by the New York City Department of Design and Construction the Fort Washington Branch renovation now enters a period of program development, design selection, and design. The City is projected to break ground on construction in mid 2002.

"This renovation will, thanks to the leadership of Guillermo Linares, provide the residents of the Fort Washington community with 21st century library services while preserving the architectural beauty of their local branch," said Mr. Holman.

"The Fort Washington Branch is one of the most heavily used in the library system because this community recognizes the critical importance of education and self improvement. I am so pleased to be able to make this renovation possible so that the dreams of so many of my constituents,  particularly the children, can be fulfilled," said Council Member Linares.

When the Fort Washington Library celebrated its 75th anniversary in 1989, several well-known  personalities, including Henry Kissinger and journalist/author Edwin Newman, fondly recalled how important the branch was to them as teenagers. Among the many other noted residents this branch has served are Lou Gehrig, Maria Callas, Ralph Ellison, Marianne Moore, and Jacob Javits.

The New York Public Library offers a wide variety of free programs for adults, young adults, and children at all 85 of its branches, located throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island.  Visit the Library's web site at www.nypl.org for further information.
 

pro: jb: 7-17-00