PHOENICIA – The Phoenicia Library,
which has been closed since a March 2011 fire gutted the historic 19th
century building, has been reopened.
The building suffered fire, smoke and water damage and the loss of 12,000 books and other items in the facility.
The $800,000 rebuilding included an addition that expands the library
from its former 1,895 square foot size to 3,235 SF, said Library Director
Elizabeth Potter.
“We had done a town survey in 2007, prior to the fire because the space was very small in the building, and we had asked the community,” Potter said. “We were thinking of relocating possibly to somewhere on the highway that runs through town. The community really wanted to have us stay on Main Street so we decided that the best thing was to use this building and then go for an expansion off the back so we could accommodate a children’s room and a meeting room.”
Patrons enjoy the new library, and refreshments
Funding to restore the historic structure at 48 Main Street in Phoenicia came from one-third each state grants, insurance funds and local donors.
Within a week of the fire, the town offered the library a vacant building with local members of the community donating thousands of books.
