After a plan was unveiled to erect a new West Hempstead Public Library on the Western Beef property, the proposed site was met with some opposition. However, proponents of the site feel the site is the only feasible one in the community. Differences of opinions were both stated at the March 1 meeting of the West Hempstead Civic Association.

The West Hempstead Library Board admits that the Western Beef site near Woodfield Road and Hempstead Avenue is flawed. However, it is the best option, according to Michael Conti, a consultant representing the library board.

While there seems to be some disagreement over where the new library should be located, there is a consensus of opinion that West Hempstead is in need of a new library. According to Conti, the way library services are delivered has grown dramatically over the last several decades. As technology has increased and more library services have become available so has the need for space, which is seen as the main reason the board is looking for a new library.

"This community's needs and demands are significant for library services. Libraries have become real important sectors for electronic communication. This library doesn't have that kind of space," Conti said, adding that the multi purposes and facets of a modern library such as children's services, various programs and available materials all require additional space. "People just don't come to the library looking for books anymore. These days, libraries are so much more. They're community centers where education, recreation, socialization and cultural affairs take place."

The West Hempstead Public Library is currently located at 252 Chestnut, the same location as the central administration offices for the West Hempstead Public Schools. The space allocated to the library is approximately 8,000 square feet. It is estimated that a new library would require double that.

The West Hempstead community is active enough in its library services that it requires more space, the board feels. "We need to create more space for the public so that both library programs and public services are needs that can be met," Conti said.

In order the give residents who attended the civic meeting as much information as possible to illustrate the community's status when it comes to library services, the board's consultant pointed out that libraries are a tremendous benefit to a community and a thriving library can sometimes improve property values.

While many feel the West Hempstead Public Library needs more space, a site to build on may be difficult to choose. "We have limited sites that are viable for construction in this community. Obviously, the community is well built out so one of the big challenges we have here is that it's very difficult to find a site," said Conti.

The library board has deemed that the building, the Chestnut Street School, currently housing the library is not suitable for expansion. Conti called expanding the building "a short sighted solution," citing parking and safety issues concerning the property.

The building, Conti said, is inflexible and there is no room to grow without relocating the ball field. In addition, libraries need open space to be able to adapt to changing conditions. The cost to expand the building is also prohibitive, Conti said.

Another site that was looked at is the Hall's Pond Park property. Although this site may have the space needed for the library, a portion of it is wetlands. The property, the board believes, is state parkland that is leased to the county.

The board feels it would have a tough time with the state in trying to build a library on parkland since there isn't a lot of parkland nearby. "If we were to pursue something like this, we could be talking about a situation that could take years and years before finalization," Conti said. "We have so little parkland here, why would we take it away? That's really the board's position."

Another site looked at was the St. Thomas Church Chapel. However, the Archdiocese won't sell the property and under New York State Law, a bond issue could not be put forth to voters for the purposes of constructing a new library unless the property is owned, Conti said.

The municipal lot on Hempstead Avenue and other sites were looked into, but were deemed to be too small. The Nassau Mutual Oil property was also looked into, but the size and shape is poor for a library, the board feels, and there is some concern about possible contamination of the site.

The process of eliminating other potential sites brought the board to the Western Beef property, a 2.33 acre site the board feels has good visibility and good access.

A potential problem is that the property is located in an area that is considered by many to be blighted. It is in the neighborhood of the Courtesy Hotel, an establishment the West Hempstead Civic Association is petitioning to have closed since members feel it poses safety hazards as has been the site of various illegal activity.

Conti said the police department is willing to play a role in making the area safer if a library were to be built on it by possibly erecting a police booth. However, this notion was met with opposition by one resident who expressed concern about sending her children to an area that requires a police booth.

Also, traffic safety is said to be a problem since it stands to reason that children as well as students and senior citizens will be frequenting the new library. The traffic intersection of Hempstead Avenue and Woodfield Road is said to be a busy intersection. To possibly alleviate the problem, the building would be constructed with its back to the intersection. However, some residents still feel the area is congested enough so that traffic will be a concern.

"We know this site has flaws, but this site has the fewest flaws," Conti said.

The board is considering the Western Beef property as its best option right now since the owner of the property is now willing to sell it whereas in the past that has not been the case. However, to put a damper on the board's plans, the property was rezoned for the purpose of construction of a storage facility, making the property more valuable.

According to Conti, the New York State Education Department has conducted an environmental impact study of the proposed site. No adverse impacts were recognized and the state gave the library board the go ahead to pursue the plans.

Therefore, negotiations for the sale of the property have begun. The library board obtained an appraisal on the property, which is said to be worth $2.7 million as of the board's most recent appraisal.

The West Hempstead Library Board is hoping to put the project out for a referendum by the fall. It is estimated that the entire cost of the project will be $10 million or a total of $20 per month per average household for the length of the bond. Additional staff and materials that would come as a result of a larger, more advanced library would be a part of the library's yearly budgets.

"The project is starting to come to life in terms of being something we can visualize," Conti said.

Some residents of the West Hempstead Civic Association are urging the board to consider alternative sites. However, some members of the civic association would like to see the project proceed. Former Town of Hempstead Councilman and current West Hempstead resident Scott Banks said a library would revitalize the area in question. A storage facility, which is seen as a possibility for the property if the library project doesn't come to fruition, would condemn the area, Banks said. "We have to do something to that area," he added.

The library board views the project for the Western Beef site to be time sensitive. The residents must act on the property while the owner is looking to sell it.