The Nov. 27 letter in the Gazette in support of The Jones Library demolition-expansion project appears to be unfamiliar with the interior of the Jones Library and reasonable alternatives to tearing down the Jones’ 31-year-old brick addition. The writer states there is no dedicated children’s space, but the Jones has a dedicated Kids Room. The writer states the library roof leaks, but only the glass atrium leaks and needs replacement. In fact, the ADA compliant, 1993 brick addition slated for demolition, has a metal roof with a 50-plus year life span. The writer describes stacks that are too narrow but this could be alleviated by hiring a professional space planner to reorganize the interior space as an alternative to demolishing the brick addition.

The project, long touted as sustainable, is no longer and the massive demolition would add an estimated 1,660-plus tons of demolition debris to landfills. The letter describes the project as much-vetted, but design changes are still being made. Currently, an effort to meet a long-ignored requirement to mitigate impacts on the state and federally registered historic building is trying to avoid forfeiting $2 million in grants. The demolition-expansion project has continued amid fundraising shortfalls and escalating costs, with increased risks as we now head into uncertain economic times with the new DC administration — all to pursue an unnecessary, larger building. The writer’s concerns could all be addressed by pivoting to an affordable renovation with infrastructure upgrades to the existing Jones Library building, likely bringing many new donors onboard.

Peggy Matthews-Nilsen

Amherst