PITTSBURGH-Gov. Ed Rendell has provided $7.5 million from the commonwealth's Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program to Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, which has a goal of raising $55 million for capital improvements. Co-chairs of the campaign, which has raised $40 million to date, are John Surma, chairman and CEO of US Steel Corp., and Leo Gerard, international president of the United Steelworkers. The public/private funding includes a $15-million bond issue supported by the Allegheny Regional District.
Six locations have already been either renovated or relocated, and the first floor of the Main Library in Oakland has also been renovated. A library spokeswoman tells GlobeSt.com, the Squirrel Hill branch was "completely transformed with an urban loft look and walls of glass that show the activities taking place inside." Under the plan, she says the Brookline and Hazelwood branches relocated to existing buildings "that make them more visible and accessible."
The East Liberty and Hill District locations are next. The Urban Redevelopment Authority has approved a new site for the Hill District branch at the corner of Center Avenue and Kirkpatrick Street. This will be the only ground-up project in the program. "We hope to break ground by the end of the year," the spokeswoman says, adding, "the initial estimated cost is between $3 million and $3.5 million."
Carnegie Library was founded in 1895. It serves more than two million visitors a year from 17 locations. Upgrading to "modern, up-to-date facilities," Rendell says in a statement, "will create vibrant, accessible, contemporary institutions that play an important role in future community revitalization."
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