FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 1, 2003

Contact: Marcia Fair 508.487.0484

A Groundbreaking for the Provincetown Public Library will take place on Thursday, November 13, at 11 a.m., at the site of the future Library, the corner of Commercial and Center streets. The event is open to the public. A Reception hosted by the Board of Library Trustees will follow at the Freeman Street Library.

According to Library Trustee Chair James Cole, it is expected that State and Town dignitaries will participate in the celebration. Notably, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners will be recognized for the $1.878 million Construction Grant toward the $4 million Building Project. The Board of Selectmen will be represented on the program by Chair Mary-Jo Avellar. Town Moderator Betty Steele Jeffers will make remarks along with Tom Boland, Chair of the newly-created Historic District Commission.

Today, the site of the new Library at 356 Commercial Street is a beehive of construction activity. The front lawn has been graded to accommodate the heavy machinery that is required to incorporate steel sheeting into the perimeter of the building to shore up the foundation prior to excavating some of the building’s lower level. This action follows the gutting of the interior of the building, which was done in September. Meanwhile, a lean-to has been built around “The Tourists,” the Chaim Gross sculpture that graces the southwest corner of the property, to protect it during construction. Another has been erected around the David Colburn memorial tree on the southeast corner.

The reconstruction of the 1860 National Landmark building, home for nearly 100 years of the Center Methodist Episcopal Church and most recently the Provincetown Heritage Museum, began in early September. The J.K. Scanlan Company of East Falmouth, a general contracting, construction management, and design-build firm, is contractor for the project. Scanlan is particularly suited to the Library project as it specializes in renovations that have unusual site requirements, challenging logistics and unique architecture.

In 1997, Scanlan was awarded the Massachusetts Historical Commission Preservation Award for the extensive renovation of the Nantucket Athenaeum, an historic landmark as well as an active public library. It also has to its credit the Woods Hole and Brewster Ladies libraries, and is currently at work on the Truro Town Hall renovation.

Everyone in Town is invited to join the celebration on November 13 at 11 a.m. Inquiries may be directed to Library Director Debra DeJonker-Berry at 508-487-7094.

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