11/18/2009
Kevin Smith, Public Building Commission, (312) 744-9277
Mayor Richard M. Daley today introduced an ordinance to designate land for a new Chicago Public Library in the Edgewater community.
Upon passage of the proposed ordinance, the Public Building Commission, on behalf of the City of Chicago, will acquire land at 1210 W. Elmdale Ave. and at 6014-16 N. Broadway.
“Libraries are one of the most important anchors in revitalizing a community because they symbolize education, reading and are a safe haven for positive, constructive activities,” said Mayor Daley. “We build libraries not only as a keeper of our history, but because offering Chicagoans free access to information of all types – improves the quality of life for our residents.”
Preliminary plans call for the new Edgewater Branch Library to be a two-story, 16,250 square-foot structure. The project will be designed to achieve “Silver” level certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.