The West Hempstead Library closed on a parcel of land for the site of the new library, which was approved by voters in June 2003. For the other parcel the library needs, however, the library will seek to take the property by eminent domain proceedings.

The West Hempstead Library closed on the gas station property. However, according to library board president Ralph Reissman, the library and the owner of the strip mall property that is also on the site couldn't come to an agreement. Reissman said the owner of the strip mall wanted $2 million for the property whereas the library's appraisal of the property was $875,000.

The library will now seek to take the strip mall property by eminent domain proceedings.

In the meantime, the plans for the library have been sent to the State Education Department for review. Reissman said from all indications, full approval should be coming quickly. Once approval comes, then the project can go out to bid.

Reissman said the project is on budget. He also said there is an alternate plan that calls for the basement to be fully finished. Reissman said there will be a fund-raising campaign for this part of the project where the library will ask for private donations with naming opportunities.

The original plan calls for a partial basement but for future expansion purposes, Reissman said he would like to see the basement fully excavated and finished. "We're trying to foresee the community's needs at this point," he said.

Reissman said the library's attorney is hopeful the eminent domain proceedings will take three months. The public will take title of the property and court will direct the transfer of title to the West Hempstead School District, which will hold the title for the library. Deciding on the cost of the property could take longer. However, Reissman said that will not hold up the project.

Reissman said construction could begin as early as spring but should begin by fall. "We feel everything is moving on schedule," he said.

Reissman also said the project is on par with its budget. However, by the time the building is built, expenses for materials could go up. However, there are contingencies built into the plan, which originally called for a 25,000 square-foot facility.

According to Reissman, the plan now calls for a facility of 23,500 square feet. "All [our professionals] have done really is reconfigure the utility space and staff space and left the public areas untouched in large part," he said.

Reissman is looking forward to the beginning of the construction and believes the community will see the new library by the middle of 2006 to the end of 2006.