‘I can’t believe it’s real’: Whitehall Public Library project breaks ground
About 50 local people poured out to the groundbreaking event for the new Whitehall Public Library last Thursday. The $3.2 million building is projected to be completed by the end of 2024 and will update technology and resources for locals, according to director Amanda Hegge, who spoke at Thursday’s celebration along with Mayor Jeff Hauser. (Times photograph by Benjamin Pierce)
Whitehall Public Library director Amanda Hegge did not try to hide her happy tears at the corner of Scranton and Ellis Streets in Whitehall last Thursday.
Hegge was speaking to an assembled crowd of about 50 people at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new public library building, thanking them for their help to bring an updated community resource to Whitehall.
“I can’t believe it’s real,” Hegge said of groundbreaking. “We’ve been doing this for a really long time. … but we got to the actual building part, which is huge.”
The $3.2 million library was made possible with community development grants, citizens opting to round up their grocery bills at Randy’s Neighborhood Market and over 500 individual donors.
Construction is estimated to finish in the second half of 2024. Architectural company Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc. (SEH) is managing the project.
The library moved to its current location at 36351 Main St. in October 2014 and was hosted in the Whitehall City Center prior to that.
Residents showed their excitement on Thursday, and Hegge said the community is eager.
“Finally, like hooray,” residents have told Hegge. “They were like, ‘If we can get this and the Thai restaurant done, we’re going to have everything.’”
“Everybody is just really, really excited.”
