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The Ho-Ho-Kus Mayor and Council and Worth-Pinkham Memorial Library Board of Trustees have been working on a plan to relocate our Library to 10 Orvil Court, the former Bank of America building.
The plans were introduced during a public meeting on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at Borough Hall. Scroll down for frequently asked questions. |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns the current Library property at 91 Warren Ave?
The Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus purchased the property outright in 2021. This purchase allows the Borough to use the building as they wish and prevent it from going back to the estate from which it was donated.
What will happen to the property at 91 Warren Ave if the Library moves?
Since it is owned by the Borough, the Mayor and Council will decide what do to with it. It could be sold to offset the cost of the project, they can rent the property out to tenants, or they can hold onto it for Borough purposes. The property is in a single-family residential zone.
Why would we let go of a historic building and gift to the community?
The Library has lived a happy life here for nearly 40 years, but the building is not in the same condition it was in 1905. While we cannot hold onto all of the generous gifts we receive, we can honor their spirit in the future. We plan to repurpose the bank vault at 10 Orvil Ct as a space for local history and preserve the memory of Mildreth Worth Pinkham.
How is the Library funded?
NJ State Law mandates that municipalities with public libraries allocate funding according to the one-third mill formula. With this formula, libraries receive 33 cents for every $1,000 of assessed property value. The average Ho-Ho-Kus taxpayer is contributing a total of $51.00 for the Library in 2024.
How would this project be funded?
The Borough would apply for a local government grant based on an educated budget estimate from professionals. The Mayor and Council have been investigating creative ways to offset the debt to decrease the impact on taxpayers. The Library would also contribute with saved capital funds and seek out further fundraising opportunities.
How much bigger is the proposed building?
There is a 79% increase in square footage from the Library's current building, excluding basement space.
What about parking?
There are nine spots in the parking lot of 10 Orvil Ct and an additional seven would be made available on Orvil Ct by closing the entrance of the drive-through and creating angled parking.
Helpful details can be found on this Information Sheet. You can reach out to the Mayor and Council with further questions or attend a public meeting.
The Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus purchased the property outright in 2021. This purchase allows the Borough to use the building as they wish and prevent it from going back to the estate from which it was donated.
What will happen to the property at 91 Warren Ave if the Library moves?
Since it is owned by the Borough, the Mayor and Council will decide what do to with it. It could be sold to offset the cost of the project, they can rent the property out to tenants, or they can hold onto it for Borough purposes. The property is in a single-family residential zone.
Why would we let go of a historic building and gift to the community?
The Library has lived a happy life here for nearly 40 years, but the building is not in the same condition it was in 1905. While we cannot hold onto all of the generous gifts we receive, we can honor their spirit in the future. We plan to repurpose the bank vault at 10 Orvil Ct as a space for local history and preserve the memory of Mildreth Worth Pinkham.
How is the Library funded?
NJ State Law mandates that municipalities with public libraries allocate funding according to the one-third mill formula. With this formula, libraries receive 33 cents for every $1,000 of assessed property value. The average Ho-Ho-Kus taxpayer is contributing a total of $51.00 for the Library in 2024.
How would this project be funded?
The Borough would apply for a local government grant based on an educated budget estimate from professionals. The Mayor and Council have been investigating creative ways to offset the debt to decrease the impact on taxpayers. The Library would also contribute with saved capital funds and seek out further fundraising opportunities.
How much bigger is the proposed building?
There is a 79% increase in square footage from the Library's current building, excluding basement space.
What about parking?
There are nine spots in the parking lot of 10 Orvil Ct and an additional seven would be made available on Orvil Ct by closing the entrance of the drive-through and creating angled parking.
Helpful details can be found on this Information Sheet. You can reach out to the Mayor and Council with further questions or attend a public meeting.