2/06/2008
Kevin Smith, Public Building Commission, (312) 744-9277
The Public Building Commission of Chicago will move forward to develop property for the new Grand Crossing Branch Library under an ordinance approved today by the Chicago City Council.
The measure calls for the Commission to begin the process of acquiring land near 73rd Street and South Ellis Ave., the first step in the construction of a new branch library for the South Side community.
“Our library building program surpasses that of any other city in the nation, and I think we’d all agree that it has been money well spent,” said Mayor Daley. “Libraries are an important part of our effort to give Chicago the best educational system of any city in the nation. And a library is more than just a place to gather information. In neighborhoods all over the city, we’ve found that when you build a public library you’re also building a community center.”
The ordinance will allow the Public Building Commission to acquire property at 1000 East 73rd Street, at 1008 East 73rd Street and at 1014 East 73rd Street. Preliminary plans call for a new, 7,000 square-foot facility built using environmentally friendly measures and equipped with thousands of volumes as well as computers for residents’ use.
