VILLAGE VIBRANCY PROJECT ENTERS NEXT PHASE
Design for Library Renovation & Expansion Incorporates
Town Green Transformation, Selectboard Discussing Next Steps

WILLISTON – The Dorothy Alling Memorial Library Trustees (“the Trustees”) have transmitted to the Williston Selectboard a schematic design for a renovated and expanded library space in the heart of the Town’s historic village. The proposed project scope also includes elements to transform the Town Green where the library sits to promote increased public use and access. The Selectboard received an overview of the project scope and preliminary cost estimate at its February 18^th meeting and will discuss possible project next steps after Town Meeting Day. The project scope as transmitted to the Selectboard is aptly named the Village Vibrancy Project: Library and Town Green Transformation – Creating Updated Community Spaces.

The project design is the culmination of over three years of planning and development with a focus on future community spaces for Williston led by town volunteers with professional guidance from Montpelier-based architect Black River Design. In Fall 2023 the Selectboard accepted the recommendation from a feasibility and scoping study committee to pursue a library renovation/expansion in the village and a future community center space in the Town’s growth center. The study also explored the concepts of a new combined facility or two new facilities. A schematic design committee made up of community volunteers was then appointed by the Library Trustees in spring 2024 to advance the project where it is today. Funding for the project to date has come from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds received by the Town and appropriated by the Williston Selectboard.

The Trustees (Charity Clark, Karla Karstens, Barbara Mieder, Steve Perkins, Shari Westman, Diane Downer and Brian Goodwin) made the following joint statement in support of the proposed plan:

“During the course of our study and survey of Willistonians, the Trustees heard the community loud and clear: Our town has outgrown our current library building. After 30 years of tremendous population growth with no change to the library, it is time to re-invest in one of the gems of Williston, our welcoming and charming village library. We are incredibly pleased to present this proposed project plan to the community. The Trustees and library staff worked closely with the architect to create a plan that keeps with the existing aesthetic of the village, meets the needs of a current and future Williston, and presents a realistic, achievable capital investment for our community.”

The current proposed project scope would add a two-story 11,500 square-foot addition on the north side of the library with a new parking area and renovate the current 9,500 square-foot library space. The existing library space is the original 1960 building, 1986 addition and 1998 addition. The design elements for the project include a larger community room flex space, a maker space, wiggle room for children and expanded capacity for the library collection for the coming decades. The design committee included elements to continue the welcoming structure of the library, with many alcoves and places to discover to retain the current community “living room” experience. The project would also replace the entire building HVAC system with energy efficient heat pump technology.

The committee worked carefully with the professional project team to reimagine the Town Green to create an updated design that incorporates improved access around the space, a new performance area to be utilized by groups including the Town Band, and updated plantings. The overall goal is to keep the Green true to its historic roots of the Town and incorporate transformative elements that foster greater public use now and into the future. 

“This project is an exciting culmination of several years of design work and public feedback to arrive at a scope that can infuse new energy into our Historic Village,” said Town Manager Erik Wells. “The Williston Community voiced a clear objective to keep the library in the village and create renewed vibrancy for now and for future generations as the current space is bursting at its seams.”

The initial project estimate is in the $13 million range for the transmitted scope. There are multiple steps that remain before reaching a final project budget. The first is a decision by the Selectboard on the overall project scope after Town Meeting Day this spring. Next, the Town is working on a capital campaign feasibility study to determine if a fundraising effort will be launched to assist in the project’s financing. The Selectboard will need to decide whether to proceed with asking the voters for a public bond to support the project, and for what amount as the scope and cost estimate is further refined. Construction could begin in late 2026 or in the year 2027 if the Town proceeds with the project and a bond is supported by the voters.  

To view the transmitted project design with interior and exterior views of the library space please visit the link below. 

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