Parking lot expansion to come

Last year, the Friends of the Center Moriches Free Public Library provided financial support to help the library purchase a piece of land adjacent to the building located at 235 Montauk Highway, the land is located near the existing lot in the rear.

In 2024, according to Center Moriches Library director Marcie Litjens, they plan to use the land to expand the parking lot which is already at capacity most days. In addition to extra spaces that are wider, she said, they will designate more handicap parking and walkway through the parking lot. 

The club, according to members, collects donated books eight months out of the year in an effort to sort and collect enough books for their sales. All funds raised support the purchase of equipment, furniture, and programs. This funding also made the donation property purchase possible.

“People don’t know what to do with them [old books], and, for years, I hated when people would throw them away. So, we collect them,” member Kathy Kleinpeter said of the idea behind the book sales.

The land was officially acquired last year by the friends of the library. The current budget for the lot is $650,000, which will include the new lot and redesigning the existing one. The library board is currently working with their architect, John Tanzi, to complete the design of the new area. The new area is projected to include 55 additional spots, including more handicapped parking. The new design will also widen the existing stalls and create a pathway to walk through the lot. 

“Many factors were considered beyond traffic flow and safety including fencing, landscaping, and special lighting to reduce light pollution at night,” said Litjens.

Additionally, she said, they were recommended for a NYS Construction Aid Grant of $225,000. The land for the parking area was acquired last year, and the Friends of the Library generously donated money towards the purchase.

“Careful budgeting has allowed the library to proceed with this project without asking the public for a bond,” Litjens explained, noting the zero cost to the taxpayer. “The need for a larger parking lot has been necessitated due to an increase in the community using the services of the library.”

Additions including a brand-new computer lab, a lounge area to enjoy a cup of coffee from the café, and many new services over the years, including passport acceptance, notary, social work interns, museum passes and seed library, which she credited to the increased usage of the library. 

“We’ve purchased new tables and chairs to accommodate the increase of people staying to enjoy what the library offers,” she added. “It’s only natural with an increase of people using the library that we would have to create a larger parking lot.”

The project, according to Litjens, is awaiting SED approval and then it will go out for public BID. Project start time and completion are still undetermined, with a projected groundbreaking for the spring and a hope for completion before the summer.