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.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will this project start?
There has been a lot of behind-the-scenes work going on and municipal construction projects typically have a longer timeline than residential projects. Residents will start to see the progress of this project in 2026.
Why are the plans different from the 2024 public presentation?
After the original feasibility study was concluded, there was a change in NJDEP Flood Hazard Area Design and Construction elevation code. Consequentially, the basement of the existing building at 10 Orvil Ct will need to be filled and the space was redesigned accordingly.
How much bigger is the proposed building?
There is a 72% increase in square footage, excluding the current library's basement storage.
What will you do with all that additional space?
We will have great areas for all ages and purposes, including a meeting room for library programs and community use. Plus, plenty of space for books.
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.
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.
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 contributed a total of $51 for the Library in 2024.
How will this project be funded?
The Mayor and Council agreed to get a local government bond for the project, 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 will contribute with saved capital funds and we are forming a Library Foundation 501(c)3 organization. There will be a brick campaign, opportunities for naming rights, and more.
You can reach out to the Mayor and Council with further questions or attend a public meeting.
There has been a lot of behind-the-scenes work going on and municipal construction projects typically have a longer timeline than residential projects. Residents will start to see the progress of this project in 2026.
Why are the plans different from the 2024 public presentation?
After the original feasibility study was concluded, there was a change in NJDEP Flood Hazard Area Design and Construction elevation code. Consequentially, the basement of the existing building at 10 Orvil Ct will need to be filled and the space was redesigned accordingly.
How much bigger is the proposed building?
There is a 72% increase in square footage, excluding the current library's basement storage.
What will you do with all that additional space?
We will have great areas for all ages and purposes, including a meeting room for library programs and community use. Plus, plenty of space for books.
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.
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.
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 contributed a total of $51 for the Library in 2024.
How will this project be funded?
The Mayor and Council agreed to get a local government bond for the project, 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 will contribute with saved capital funds and we are forming a Library Foundation 501(c)3 organization. There will be a brick campaign, opportunities for naming rights, and more.
You can reach out to the Mayor and Council with further questions or attend a public meeting.
Presentation from June 2024
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Hours:
Sunday: Closed Monday: 10am-5pm Tuesday: 10am-8pm Wednesday: 10am-5pm Thursday: 10am-8pm Friday: 10am-5pm Saturday: 10am-1pm Closings |
WORTH-PINKHAM MEMORIAL LIBRARY
91 Warren Avenue, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423 201-445-8078 |
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