Architectural review board ponders library and drug store

MILFORD — With friends and associates involved in the decision-making, others in positions of authority around Milford won’t comment on the record about the proposed design for borough’s new central library. Off the record ,you will hear comments like, “it’s gorgeous, but not for here,” or “I think they’ve got a lot of work to do yet.” Following its announcement earlier this month, the design got its first public airing Monday before the borough’s architectural review board, The panel is charged with protecting the integrity of Milford’s historic district. Normally sparsely attended, the review board had a standing-room audience including members of the library board and the business community. Maleyne Syracuse, who chairs the library’s building task force, for the 18,000-square-foot, $6.8 million project. She said she could think of nothing that would better complement the borough’s proposed “Main Street” enhancement program more that the addition of this new library. “I’m confident that through a constructive dialogue, we can all achieve our objectives,“ she told the review panel. Architect Frederic Schwartz, whose firm created the design, spoke about the surrounding hills, barns and streetscape which influenced the designers choice of surfaces and textures. Showing a slide, he spoke of his appreciation of Frank Lloyd Wright’s “Fallingwater,” 1935 home design in western Pennsylvania. It also cantilevers over a stream, somewhat reminiscent to the library design. He admitted his design, including vegetation on a “green roof,” would not be considered historic, “unless you went back to Babylon.” Schwartz thanked the audience following his presentation and urged that the process move forward. Beyond complimenting the high quality of the presentation, the review board did not comment. Chair Beth Kelley said the borough’s architectural consultants would prepare a review of the design presentation for their April meeting. In other business the board saw a revised project plan for a proposed new Rite Aid store at Broad and Harford streets. Project Manager Mark Heeb of BL Companies, Harrisburg, said the new 11,186-square-foot design was unique among company stores and would require demolition of only one neighboring building. Kelley said she appreciated the new work and thanked Heeb for the “time and effort” apparent in the redesign.