The majority of Manhasset residents, regardless of whether they are library users or not, are acutely aware that we have a severe library parking problem. Currently there are 40 parking spaces. Now they are proposing to double the library size. (While their new proposals also involve the possibility of going to the Sabena building across from Macy's, for the moment let us concentrate on the Onderdonk location.) For a new building twice the size of the present building which parking situation would you choose at the Onderdonk location? 66 spaces, 85 spaces or at least 110 spaces.

Meetings were held at the library on Saturday morning, April 21 and Wednesday evening, April 25. As you will see below, the proposals they presented show unmistakable evidence in favor of the Sabena location. Their "best" layout at Onderdonk shows only 85 parking spaces. Even allowing for what I consider an oversized ground floor reception area that they proposed (that takes away from potential beneath building parking spaces) the remaining area can accommodate at least 110 full width (9-foot wide) parking spaces. I guarantee it. On March 6, six weeks prior to these presentations, I addressed a letter to the library director suggesting that there was a theoretical potential for 136 parking spaces at the Onderdonk. I did not receive a reply. A few weeks later I sent a second letter offering my services (free, of course) but, once again they did not comment on my proposal. Layout was one of my fields of expertise as a management consultant.

The key point is that only 85 Onderdonk spaces makes the 118 or 126 Sabena spaces more appealing. But what about 110 or more Onderdonk spaces? Next they said that there would be a temporary loss of some of the existing parking spaces during Onderdonk construction. So what. Off campus parking is already a fact of life.

Worst of all they said (see MP 4/19 full-page ad) that: "The present library might be able to remain open during the first phase of construction...". Not so subtle implying that it will be closed later. The new and old buildings as shown would be separated by at least 100 feet. Have you ever heard of a building next door having to be shut down so you can build yours? How about one that is more than a hundred feet away? Of course not and neither has the architect. This is utter nonsense. I am appalled by such blatant misinformation designed to sell Sabena. Why are they pushing Sabena? My guess is because it would cause the library virtually no inconvenience.

In the Manhasset Press ad the last item on Onderdonk Option B says, "The present library building would be demolished to complete the parking area. During that phase of construction (demolition?), the library might have to move to an off-site location, with limited services." Why not move into the new building before you allow them to demolish the old one? Is that so difficult to envision?

The architect further said that the construction would take the better part of two years. (A lady in the audience pointed out that in 1931 they built the Empire State Building in only 18 months with far less mechanical construction equipment than we have today.) Two years for constructing a 32,000 square foot building! Give me a break!

Critical data presented by the library board is deceptive at best, even deceitful. I am disappointed with their lack of candor.

Ted Theodorsen