West Orange Council Gets Updates On Library, Senior Housing

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange Town Council got status updates about construction at the town’s new public library, as well as senior housing at the old library site at their meeting this week.

The library closed in February to move to its new location at 10 Rooney Circle. Town officials previously said it was expected to reopen this spring.

Construction at the new library site is 98 percent complete, according to Peter Smeraldo, the town’s assistant business administrator. An opening date is expected for July or sooner, he said, speaking to the council on Tuesday.

The town council subsequently approved two contracts related to the library construction, TAP Into West Orange reported.

Township officials – working in partnership with the library board of trustees – have arranged for a continuation of some key services at a temporary space on the second floor of 80 Main Street (suite 230). Read More: Temporary Location Opened For West Orange Public Library

The new library was a key bargaining chip in a major redevelopment project at 100 and 200 Executive Drive and 10 Rooney Circle that took shape during the pandemic.

• See Related: See Plans For The Proposed New Library In West Orange
• See Related: NJ Supreme Court Rules On West Orange Library Dispute
• See Related: Supreme Court Ruling Won't Deter West Orange's Plans, Mayor Says

SENIOR HOUSING

Meanwhile, things are shaping up for 65 affordable senior housing units that will be built on Mount Pleasant Avenue at the library’s former location.

Joe Alpert, president of The Alpert Group, spoke about the ongoing plans for the apartments, where rents are expected to range from $315 to $1,124 per month.

Watch the presentation below (video is cued to the discussion).

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