Highland Park marked the beginning of the end for a project more than a decade in the making, with residents and officials gathering on the lawn of the Highland Park Public Library for the groundbreaking of its newest expansion.
The roughly $10 million expansion will add about 7,800 square feet to the west of the existing library, but local and state officials described it as more than a simple addition; it’s an investment in the community and its youth.
“Let’s give our kids the world,” Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering said.
Speaking to a gathered crowd, Library Board of Trustees President Rob Olian recalled the last time the library had been expanded, just under 50 years ago. It was a drastically different time, Olian said, before computers, cell phones, Amazon, and the modern internet.
“This is more than the start of a construction project. It’s the culmination of more than a decade of vision, planning, and perseverance,” Olian said.
Officials described it as a new chapter that will help bring new opportunities, safe spaces and accessibility to the community’s children, seniors and residents.
The library is a critical place for the city, Rotering said, as one of its most visited buildings on a daily basis. It’s a hub for the community, whether students, adults or children.
It’s also personally important to Rotering, who recalled summers participating in the reading competition. Each child had a train car with their reading score posted at the library, and she recalled coming in every day to see where she stood against her friends.
“This is where my life began, when I found this library,” Rotering said. “Awesome memories.”
She recalled moving to Highland Park as a small child and discovering the “magic” of the library, and expressed her hope that such enjoyment will be had by the children of today.
“Browsing, checking out and bringing home piles of books was always a treat, with so much anticipation on the ride home over which one to read first,” she said. “I know that similar wonderful memories abound for countless other members of our community.”
State officials in attendance also praised the project. State Representative Bob Morgan talked about the role of politicians to help build something that lasts longer than themselves
“We’re placeholders,” Morgan said. “This will survive all of us. This will be an opportunity for our children.”
For State Senator Julie Morrison, the word of the day was “equity.”
“Regardless of who you are, how long you’ve been in Highland Park, what your background is, what your education is, what language you speak … we all have access to a tremendous amount of opportunity in this building,” Morrison said.
Debate over expansion, Miss Nitro sculpture
The proposal had faced debate on the city council, with some members concerned with the loss of green space. There had been discussion about expanding on the east side of the library, but Rotering said it would’ve cost several million more, money that could be used for the archives, city records and a maker space.
“It’s always going to be a difficult thing when you have fiscal constraints and you want to provide the greatest amount of services to the community,” Rotering said. “It’s always a balance.”
She was “pleased” to keep the green space to the east, and was “eager” for some kind of playground next to the library.
“It’s always been a dream to have a play space next to the library,” Rotering said. “What more could you want in an awesome day than to come to the library, get a pile of books and then go play outside?”
The expansion necessitated the relocation of the Miss Nitro sculpture that stood in the library’s west lawn. The bronze sculpture, designed by American sculptor Peter Voulkos, has sat by the library for over 50 years.
According to a city press release, Miss Nitro has sustained surface damage from “generations of visitors and lawn maintenance” and requires restoration. The last restoration was completed in the 1990s, when it was coated with black paint.
This latest restoration will include the removal of the paint, corrosion, cleaning of the sculpture, application of a new black patina and a protective wax coating, the release said.
Rotering said it’s currently being cleaned and restored before it’s relocated. The current plan is at the intersection of Central Avenue and Deerfield Road, in an open spot adjacent to the Blue House
“In this location, this iconic sculpture will serve as the gateway to Downtown Highland Park, underscoring the community’s love of the arts,” the release said.
