Library reports on presentation to review board for new building

MILFORD — The Pike County Public Library has issued a news release regarding its recent presentation before the Milford Borough Architectural Review Board. That presentation was for the library’s proposed Dorothy E. Warner library headquarters and community center, planned for a site at 221 East Harford Street. At the review board’s Nov. 24 meeting, library building committee member and former review board member Ed Brannon introduced both the library project and its architect, Fred Schwartz. Brannon described Milford’s cultural, social, political and economic history, which are all factors to be considered by the board in deciding on the compatibility of the library headquarters within the Milford Historic District. “We welcome the opportunity to present our design formally to the Milford ARB,” said Brannon. “We believe that it clearly meets the standards of the Historic District Ordinance, as shown in our written application. We appreciate the ARB’s attention in considering this matter, and look forward to a fine new facility for all of Milford and Pike County.” Architect Fred Schwartz made a slide presentation of the proposed headquarters’ features and how they comport with other buildings in the historic district. A large crowd, which had assembled in Milford’s Borough Hall for the meeting, listened attentively and applauded Schwartz’s presentation. Afterwards, Milford Business Council Chair Reggie Cheong-Leen spoke in favor of the new library headquarters, as did Milford residents Denise Wagner, Father Bill McGinty of the Church of the Good Shepherd and St. John the Evangelist, and Skip Gregory. The library building committee and board of directors spent 18 months refining the headquarters’ design to take further into account Milford Borough’s Historic District Ordinance as well as public input. The public is encouraged to review the library’s complete application and architectural renderings on the library’s website at www.pcpl.org . Skip Gregory stated that when he(as former Mayor) approved the historic district ordinance he never thought it would be used to cut off contemporary building.