News Summary
The Enoch Pratt Free Library is set to start construction on a new branch in Park Heights, the first in over 15 years. This library aims to provide essential resources to the historically underserved community, featuring modern facilities and technology. The project is part of a larger initiative to revitalize the area, enhancing educational opportunities and community access to library services after the closure of the previous branch over two decades ago.
Baltimore – The Enoch Pratt Free Library will commence construction on a new branch in Park Heights this summer, marking the first new library built within the Enoch Pratt Free Library system in over 15 years. This significant project addresses a long-standing need for library services in Park Heights, which has not had a dedicated library since the closure of the old Pimlico branch over 24 years ago.
The new library aims to provide free access to technology, books, and educational resources, benefiting residents of Park Heights, a historically Black neighborhood in West Baltimore. The facility will cover approximately 18,000 square feet and will include a children’s reading room, multi-purpose assembly space, study areas, public access computers, Wi-Fi, and dedicated computer training space.
Chad Helton, the president and CEO of Enoch Pratt Free Library, highlighted that this project is a vital step towards ensuring access and equity for the community. The library will be strategically located at the corner of Park Heights and Woodland avenues, making it easily accessible to students and families near local schools and the CC Jackson Recreation Center.
The construction of the library is part of the broader Park Heights Main Street District Initiative, led by Mayor Brandon M. Scott. This initiative aims to revitalize neighborhood economies and enhance community infrastructure. In addition to the library, the initiative plans to develop a new park, pavilion, and residential units, with support from Baltimore City Recreation and Parks.
Over the past 15 years, there have been discussions about neighborhood expansion, as mentioned by Katherine Brower, a design planner with Baltimore City Recreation and Parks. The new library aims to reflect community needs and priorities through active involvement during the design and construction phases. The commitment to community engagement emphasizes the library’s role as a critical resource tailored to local needs.
Funding for the library includes several sources, providing solid financial backing for the project. Contributions have come from the State of Maryland, the City of Baltimore, private donations, and the Baltimore City Board of Estimates, which approved approximately $18.6 million for the facility. Notably, the Pratt Library has successfully raised $6 million in private donations, including a record-setting gift from prominent donors Rheda Becker and Bob Meyerhoff.
A groundbreaking ceremony is anticipated to take place on August 27, symbolizing the beginning of an exciting development in the area. Mayor Scott shared insights about the Park Heights community, recalling how residents previously needed to walk two miles to reach a library, effectively illustrating the pressing need for easily accessible library services in this historically underserved area.
The introduction of this new library not only serves as a crucial community resource but also fulfills a long-standing need for library services that has persisted since the closure of the previous library branch. The Park Heights area was designated as the City’s ninth Baltimore Main Street district in May 2022, indicating a commitment to improving the community’s quality of life through developments like this library.
As the project progresses, it will play a key role in enhancing educational opportunities and access to information for residents, promoting equity and empowerment through access to library resources.
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