'Moving forward:' Gannon says water research center at Blasco Library to open in spring 2025

Gannon University anticipates construction of a new water research and education center at Blasco Memorial Library to begin in late fall, with a projected opening in early 2025.

Gannon leaders joined Erie County Executive Brenton Davis at a news conference Wednesday to announce the dates and assure the community that they’ll be able to provide feedback on the center’s design.

“Our updated timeline will call for public presentations on a possible design to happen in late June and July,” Sarah Ewing, provost and vice president for student experience at Gannon, told reporters at the Erie County Courthouse.

“The comments and feedback will be factored into the final plan," she added.

The 3,280-square-foot center ― a part of Gannon’s multi-phased $24 million water quality initiative called Project NePTWNE ― will be located on the eastern wing of the library’s first floor and comprise of hands-on exhibits, a NOAA Science on a Sphere and a research lab, all of which will be accessible to the public at no cost, according to Ewing.

Ewing said the center will enhance the research done on Gannon’s research vessel, the Environaut, and also “complement the educational programming and services offered by the library.”

“We will bring programming to the library through the center, and we’ve already begun discussing possible partnerships with library staff,” she said. “These ideas and discussions will continue in the weeks and months ahead.”

Gannon, Davis 'moving forward' from controversy surrounding center

The center’s proposed location inside the county’s main public library has been the source of several protests and demonstrations since the center’s lease was approved by Erie County Council in October.

Opponents have argued the lease is an affront to the library, contending it gives away space from a vital public asset to a private, religiously affiliated university that already has several dozen tax-exempt properties throughout the city.

They’ve also criticized the lease as a “sweetheart deal” brokered by the Davis administration and fast-tracked by council with no public engagement. The lease has Gannon paying a flat rent of $7 a square foot for an initial 25-year period.

Speaking at Wednesday’s news conference, Gannon President Walter Iwanenko sought to reassure the public of the center’s value, both to the library and the community overall.

“We acknowledge there’s been a lot said about this effort, both for it and against it,” he said. “Our expectation is that, in time, this will not only be a destination for our community but also an attraction for visitors to come to our beautiful waterfront ― this location remaining a vital resource for generations to come.”

He added, “This will be a source of pride, enhancing a public asset. Our community will be a leader in research and education through these evolving public and private partnerships.”

Wednesday's news conference comes just days after Erie County Council sought to override a Davis veto that blocked council's attempt to rescind the center's lease. The override failed in a 4-3 vote, falling short of a necessary five-vote supermajority.

Davis on Wednesday said it's been a "tumultuous road" but that the research laboratory in partnership with the county is "moving forward."

Ewing: Gannon “not looking to take over” library services

Among the concerns of community members has been the potential environmental impact of a research laboratory on a library ― and the lack of a thorough impact study.

Ewing said there’s been some “misunderstanding” around the scope of the center’s research lab, which she said will have a very “straightforward design.”

“It will be focused more on water quality,” she said. “We have the labs we need to control chemicals and the large pieces of equipment on campus. This space is going to be controlled and more so for community engagement and the research process.”

Ewing said the contractors hired to design and construct the center ― Indovina Associates Architects of Pittsburgh and Building Systems Inc. ― will work with library staff to limit disruptions to the library patrons.

She further dismissed concerns that Gannon might expand to other parts of the library.

“We have a very clear design in mind of what we want to achieve,” she said. “We want to partner with the library. The library provides a lot of services to the community and we’re not looking to take over any of that.”

She added that the center aims to complement programs and services in the community, including those at the Regional Science Consortium, the Tom Ridge Environmental Center and the Children’s Museum.

The construction is being funded by $1.5 million from the county's share of American Rescue Plan funds.

A.J. Rao can be reached at arao@gannett.com. Follow him on X @ETNRao.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Gannon water research center at Blasco Library to open in spring 2025