The Board of Directors of the Bridgeport Public Library and Reading Room has purchased, along with other parcels, the former Newfield Library building at 755 Central Avenue that more recently housed the Charles D. Smith Foundation and Educational Center. The property had served as the Newfield Branch until 1991, when City financial difficulties prevented capital repairs and other needed maintenance. The City Council sold the library building to Charles D. Smith, Jr. to use it as a community center that later ceased operations.
Library Board Treasurer Tom Errichetti stated: “The Library Board, based upon the recently completed Facilities Plan, has proactively reacted to the plan to provide facilities as promised during the referendum initiative. We are excited as we begin to provide improved facilities to the East End and anticipate improved facilities to the East Side.” Throughout an extensive search for a suitable site to relocate the current leased facility, the Library Board has been consulting with members of the community. Implementation of the Library Master Plan to restore and improve facilities for Library services in the City has begun with this acquisition as a first step in that process. The Library Board will collaborate with the community about expansion of the original structure, with its iconic fireplaces, high vaulted 18′ ceiling and tall windows to recreate the historic Newfield Library, with a new state of the art structure on an adjacent parcel to provide approximately 10,000 square feet of space for the library collection, computer tech center, innovation resources and community meeting for the East End community.
The Library Board has been working with Mayor Bill Finch and the City Administration to improve facilities for the essential services the Library provides Bridgeport’s residents. As Library Board Director Rosalina Roman Christy noted, “The constituents of the East End and East Side deserve to have a library in their neighborhood that meets the residents’ needs. The Library Board has worked diligently to meet that need.” Public Libraries have proven to be catalysts, not only for community stability and revitalization, but for economic development as well. The acquisition of these parcels will be the anchor for major improvements to the entire block that fronts Stratford Avenue.
More importantly, with these improvements, the Library will fulfill its role as the neighborhood center for life-long learning, enrichment and enjoyment for all ages.
“The libraries in Bridgeport serve as that trusted, ‘Third Place,’ away from home and work, where we can gather with free and open access to information, resources and services to explore ideas and interests and engage in a vibrant civic life. This renovated space will be the new focal point of those activities in the East End–in the words of the Library Strategic Plan: ‘Building Community, Helping People, Changing Lives’,” said Library Board President Jim O’Donnell. As Judge William Holden, who serves as Chairperson of the Library Board’s Building Committee, added: “We have been working diligently to realize this dream and I am happy to say, ‘It is happening in my lifetime!’.”
When the Library referendum passed against the wishes of Mayor Finch and his team I was impressed with the financial plans the Library Board had made to use the funds to bring East End and East Side Library facilities up to the standards of the three other library properties. The money was available but roadblocks and hurdles had to be overcome but the Library Board, a non-political group as Judge Holden informed a group of listeners one evening, has stayed focused and positive change will be happening in the eastern part of town. Libraries are used by the community. How long will it take to find the right place for the East Side library? Time will tell.
Twenty or 30 years.
These are the type of projects needed to invest in our children’s future. While neighborhood parks may be part of the investment plan it cannot be the primary project. As I mentioned before, the park on Knowlton Street cost the taxpayers 12.5 million dollars with no return when Washington Park and Beardsley Park are within walking distant from that site. That 12.5 million could have been invested in our children’s educational future and summer programs, but I guess that wouldn’t satisfy Finch’s construction cronies. You don’t fix the leak in your roof by parking a $75,000 BMW in the driveway.
We all should thank the library board, staff and supporters for their commitment to the mission of public libraries.
Those were unpleasant times when city finances required library branches and firehouses closed and services to be reduced, in part because of the unwillingness of city employee unions to adopt more effective and efficient methods.
Has the Finch ministry of public enlightenment scheduled a celebration to take credit and declare it is an example of how Bridgeport is getting better every day? Let’s see, who’s in town for a media event? Blumenthal? Himes?
I don’t know, guys, First, let me say Tom Errichetti is an asset all over the city and how lucky we are he is the library board treasurer. In the press release it was clear they were getting support from Mayor Finch and the Finch administration.
The library sounds like it will be exquisite and just another positive for the East End community that feels they have been neglected. New Housing, Steelpointe, a beautifully appointed new library and Pleasure Beach is changing the face of the East
End. This along with parks and playgrounds are necessary quality of life issues especially in grossly underserved neighborhoods where poverty and litter-strewn streets will become vibrant again. I realize older, well to do, white, upper middle class conservatives do not support the Mayor’s attempts to restore Bridgeport’s Park City image. I do, and I think this event should be celebrated loudly and let the East End rejoice. I cannot wait to see the restoration. Great job to all those involved in restoring a beautiful building the community can be proud of.
Parks and playgrounds are necessary quality of life issues especially in grossly underserved neighborhoods.
Really Steven, the people of the East End will tell you a grocery store where they can buy fresh fruits and vegetables and quality meats and not have to spend their money at corner stores that charge exorbitant prices is a quality of life issue. They will tell you a pharmacy where they can fill their prescriptions without riding across town is a quality of life issue. They will tell you jobs that pay more than the minimum wage is a quality of life issue. They will tell you a bridge to Pleasure Beach they can use all year long is a quality of life issue. What they won’t tell you is a damned park or playground isn’t a quality of life issue.
The library is something that is definitely needed for the children of the East End, but don’t try and lay that at the feet of Finch because according to sources on OIB he spent $12.5 million on that damned Knowlton St. park as if the library isn’t more important.
Donald Day I understand your caring for the less fortunate at Knowlton Park. But your whining about a grocery store? Still? Did you expect the city to erect a grocery store? You are not as bright as I thought and you could care less for the minority communities and the quality of life issues. You left Bridgeport, you do not represent your community at all. You would deprive a kid of a park or a water park and playground as well as basketball courts in an impoverished neighborhood with obsolete decaying manufacturing facilities.
I suppose you will not be at the magnificent Puglio Park announcement this Saturday? Why not campaign there and tell the families and the kids the Mayor wasted their money? You Donald Day should be embarrassed and ashamed. But keep talking about that grocery store Ganim forgot in his 10 years in office. Between Ganim and Newton I am not sure who has done more for the East End community. Could you please tell me?
Hey Steve, the parks are important and the library. All positives and much needed but Donald has a good point. The East End needs a major supermarket. Who can afford to keep doing groceries at the corner store? They are there for the quick pickup. Something you ran out of, etc. Where is the closest supermarket? Boston Ave. Walmart/Shop Rite are miles away as well. I would love to see the results of a poll in the East End. What does the East End need the most, 1- A park? 2- A Supermarket?