$750G tab to fix former Patchogue library

Engineers estimate it will cost about $750,000 to get Patchogue’s century-old former Carnegie library into usable shape after a proposed move to a Suffolk district court building parking lot.

Joseph Catropa, of McLean Associates, located in Brookhaven hamlet said the price tag is based on a renovation cost of about $150 per square foot for the original 5,000-square-foot building, which opened in 1908 and was used by the village until 1981. He said a newer 5,000-square-foot addition, built in the 1950s, would be demolished.

Catropa made a presentation to the village board Monday night. Legs. Robert Calarco (D-Patchogue) proposed legislation this past week to move the building from its Lake Street location to the district court parking lot on West Street two blocks away.

Mayor Paul Pontieri said the village has to figure out a way to fund not only the renovations, but the continued cost of operating the building — heat, light and other utilities — after repairs are complete. “You can’t move the building and have it sit vacant,” he said.

Tritec Real Estate Co. Inc. has agreed to move the historic former library as part of an agreement to build its New Village project, on the site of the former Swezey’s Department Store. The project includes 291 apartments along with 36,150 feet of retail space. The development is being challenged in court.

Tritec estimates the cost to move the library at $150,000, while putting the building on a new foundation with utilities and curbing will be another $486,000.

Photo: Inside Patchogue's Carnegie library, built in 1905, are, from left, Deputy Mayor Jack Krieger, Mayor Paul Pontieri Jr., Trustee William Hilton and Tritec chief operating officer Robert Loscalzo. (Oct. 25, 2011)