Rensselaer Falls holding open house Thursday to display library plans

Thomas Graser, Watertown Daily Times, N.Y.
·2 min read

Apr. 16—RENSSELAER FALLS — Residents will see proposed plans to expand the village library and village hall on Thursday night at 5:30 in the library.

Rensselaer Falls Mayor Michael S. Hammond said the village has been awarded a $400,000 New York State Local Government Efficiency Program Grant, which targets shared opportunities.

In 2023, the village received $33,050 from State Aid for Library Construction to convert the basement into library storage and programming space.

The village has since made significant progress, completing about 85% of that first phase of the project.

Hammond said the remaining 15% of this phase will seamlessly transition into the next, which will involve expanding the library complex.

"We're looking to bust out the entire west side of the library complex onto the basketball court to create more library space and a community room with handicapped-accessible bathrooms. We have a chair lift planned and a new entrance door to the basement, so we can get that cleaned up," Hammond said. "There will be three public input sessions, so the public can chime in and have their say in it."

Hammond said the next open house will be on May 18, which coincides with the village-wide garage sale day.

The third date for public input has yet to be decided.

Hammond said to replace the basketball court, a new court will be constructed at the playground on State Street and will likely include a pickleball court.

The local efficiency grant will provide about 70% of the project's funding. The village is working with River Street Planning and Development, Troy, to find other grants to complete the project.

Hammond said each of the open houses will feature food from a local business. This week's open house will feature food from the Falls Market and Deli. Applewood Orchards will cater the open house on May 18, and Fobare's BBQ and Catering will provide food at the last open house.

"We're just showcasing our local businesses and it's our way of trying to get the public to come," Hammond said.