News Summary
The Enoch Pratt Free Library is set to begin construction on a new branch in Park Heights this summer, marking the first library built in over 15 years. Located at Park Heights and Woodland avenues, the facility will span 18,000 square feet, offering essential services to a community without a dedicated library since 1991. The project aims to enhance access to education and technology for residents and is part of a broader initiative to revitalize the Park Heights area.
Baltimore – The Enoch Pratt Free Library has announced plans to commence construction on a new branch in Park Heights this summer, marking the first library to be built in the system in over 15 years. This new facility, located at the intersection of Park Heights and Woodland avenues, is poised to provide essential library services to an area that has been without a dedicated library since 1991.
The new library will span 18,000 square feet and will include a children’s reading room, multi-purpose assembly spaces, study areas, public access computers, Wi-Fi, and computer training facilities. These resources will offer free access to technology, books, and educational support, helping to serve the needs of the residents in Park Heights, a historically Black neighborhood in West Baltimore.
Chad Helton, president and CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, highlighted that the project embodies access and equity for the community. His commitment to community involvement will steer both the design and construction phases of the library, ensuring that the needs of local residents are taken into consideration.
The library’s development is part of Baltimore’s larger Park Heights Main Street District Initiative, which aims to revitalize neighborhood economies under the guidance of Mayor Brandon M. Scott. This initiative not only includes the library construction but also features plans for a new park, pavilion, and residential units, all supported by Baltimore City Recreation and Parks (BCRP).
The new branch will play a pivotal role in addressing long-standing service gaps in the region, as it replaces the former Pimlico branch that closed over 24 years ago. With local residents previously required to walk two miles to access a library, the new facility aims to become an important community resource.
The funding for this significant project includes contributions from various sources, such as the State of Maryland, the City of Baltimore, private donations, and the Baltimore City Board of Estimates, which has approved around $18.6 million for the library’s construction. The Pratt Library has successfully raised $6 million in private donations, including a record-breaking gift from donors Rheda Becker and Bob Meyerhoff.
Katherine Brower, a design planner with BCRP, noted that efforts for neighborhood expansion have been in the works for the past 15 years, culminating in this ambitious project. The library’s strategic location near schools and the CC Jackson Recreation Center is intended to maximize accessibility for families and students in the area.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the new library is scheduled for August 27, marking a significant milestone for both the Enoch Pratt Free Library system and the Park Heights community. The project not only signifies a new chapter in library services for residents but also reflects a broader initiative to enhance community engagement and economic vitality in the Park Heights area, which was designated as Baltimore’s ninth Main Street district in May of the previous year.
Community stakeholders and city officials are optimistic that the new Enoch Pratt Free Library branch will serve as a vital educational and cultural hub for Park Heights, fulfilling a critical need for library services that has persisted for decades.
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