Building Project

Shelving arrived. Books are being unpacked.

Furniture is here and being installed.

Trees/grass planted.

Security and fire suppression installed.

Expect an opening date soon!

Parking lot lights are on.

Flashing signs warning cars to slow down are installed in front of the library.

In keeping Long Island's aquifer safe, the Suffolk County Department of Health has approved a green, I/A sanitary system.

Solar panels are getting turned on.

Interior and exterior security cameras are installed.

The landscaping looks beautiful, and there is much more to come.

Interior painting is almost complete.

The heat is on! This enables us to begin the installation of the wood finishes, doors and cork flooring.

Installed:

• LED Exterior Lighting
• Electric Car Charging
• Porcelain Floor
• LED Interior Lighting
• Solar Panels
• Traffic Calming Devices to Slow Down Cars

Underway:

• Painting
• Landscaping
• and so much more!

More progress!

The window installation is almost complete. Wall framing and drywall are going up. Technology equipment and furnishings have been ordered.

Roof installation is underway. Permanent electric power is scheduled for turn on.

Curbs in the parking lot are installed. A Vanderbilt Parkway curb and catch basin project is about to begin. Flashing speed limit signs are approved by Town of Huntington and Suffolk County.

New Year to IMAGINE the opportunities.

The exterior brickwork is almost complete.

Interior mechanical, electrical, plumbing construction continues.

Wall framing is going up.

Board of Trustees approved the lowest bidder for telecommunications and security systems.

In Fall 2019, a construction grant in the amount of $282,170 was approved by the New York State Department of Education. On Wednesday, October 21, New York State Assemblyman Steve Stern stopped by to present a check to the Half Hollow Hills Community Library (HHHCL). This generous grant will off-set costs for the I/A Sanitation System required by Suffolk County. An I/A Sanitation System protects Long Island drinking water from contamination and keeps our natural aquifers safe. The HHCL is one of the few public libraries in Suffolk County with this system.

Progress!

• The steel framing is finished.
• Concrete floor slabs are poured
• The temporary power is ON!
• The stone wall for the Children’s garden is now visible.
• COVID-19 related delays are expected. Look for an opening day 2Q, 2021.

The Half Hollow Hills Community Library (HHHCL) has erected the highest point of the steel framework of its new library. In commemoration, ironworkers have hung an American flag in a “topping out” ceremony. This ceremony is an age-old tradition and a common expression of pride by the workers.

Helen Crosson, Library Director, addressing the workers, states: “I am so grateful for you here today, because without all of you, this beautiful project doesn’t happen.”

Construction resumes! Underground duct work continues after NY Pause due to COVID-19. The steel delivery date is set. Look for a crane and ironworkers very soon.

The Covid-19 virus has impacted our personal and professional lives in so many ways. With Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order 202.13 adopted March 29, 2020, our construction project is also impacted. Our Library Trustees voted to stop construction in order to comply with this Executive Order.

Prior to this Executive Order, the steel fabrication company had already shut down and therefore delays can be expected once this virus dissipates and businesses can reopen.

Underground work continues:

• Duct work for electrical
• Sanitary
• Heating and cooling

Structural steel is being fabricated. Exterior lighting including exterior electrical outlets are planned for events. Planning for technology, security and sound continue with staff input.

As time progresses, details of your new library are revealed. Neither snow, rain, sleet or wind will keep our builders from their work. Footing and foundation work continues and necessary retaining walls are built.

We worked with the architect to confirm that our beautiful piano can be housed on the stage in the lecture room or be stored when an event requires the use of the entire stage. Small details like this, will greatly impact our day-to-day operation in your new library building.

Work on footings and foundation walls continue. Electricity has returned. Slab on grade pours for Children Department and the Lecture Room on the Lowest Level will begin soon. Can you pour concrete in the cold? YES! With a combination of ingredients and thermal blankets, we can expect to continue to pour concrete in to the cold season.  Calgi is our daily owner’s representative overseeing the construction of our new public library.

Footings…foundation walls…the progress continues. Cement is continually being poured. Applications for electrical and permits have been submitted. Trailers for electrical engineer, HVAC and our owner’s rep, CALGI are on site.

Ready to set footings for foundation walls.

Trucks of dirt arrive multiple times throughout the day delivering good soil for the project.

Installation of underground drainage systems is underway.​

In the next month, the Board of Trustees will work with the architect to finalize the exterior brick and stone colors for the new building.

The construction trailers have arrived. Site preparations continue.

There will be a handful of trees removed around the site. Once construction is complete, the project includes the planting of more than 20 mature trees.

More than 50 years ago, the forward-thinking trustees of your library approved the installation of a GeoCool system to greatly reduce the expense of air-conditioning. That system still functions today and will be utilized to full capacity in your new library. Over the last several months we have been busy maintaining, expanding and repairing it. The wheels of progress continue to turn and soon the underground work will be completed and the above ground work can begin.  Thank you.

Presentation to the The Concerned Fathers Association

Video

Video

Our temporary location, Chestnut Hill School, is ready and waiting for you. Come see us!

Our movers are working hard to get us ready to open at Chestnut Hill Elementary School. Keep checking back for updates. In the meantime, our Melville branch is open with extended hours.

Monday – Friday, 9:30 am – 9 pm
Saturday, 9:30 am – 5 pm
Sunday, 12 pm – 5 pm

As we close the doors to 55 Vanderbilt Parkway, we’d like to thank you for your continued support and patience.

To ensure the community continues to receive 4-star service, we have extended the hours at our Melville branch. Melville will now be open:

Monday – Friday, 9:30 am – 9 pm
Saturday, 9:30 am – 5 pm
Sunday, 12 pm – 5 pm.

Please continue to check the website and social media for updates regarding our opening of Chestnut Hill.

Building Project Issue 1

On Monday, August 27, a lease was signed with HHH Central School District for the Dix Hills building of the HHHCL to relocate to Chestnut Hill Elementary School by year-end. The Melville building will be open during this relocation.

The Melville building’s parking lot is complete. Come by and check it out!

Design documents from our architects, Peter Gisolfi Associates, arrived today.

Melville Parking Lot 7/31/18

As promised, site improvements at the Melville building have started. When visiting the library, please park across the street at Sunquam Elementary School. Thank you for your cooperation.

On April 25, architects from Peter Gisolfi Associates spent the day with staff members from each department to discuss their dreams and plans for the new building and the future of the HHH Library. Staff members provided insight on programming, library usage and collection development. Additionally, staff members gave suggestions regarding the preliminary drawings and changes. The architects will continually revise the drawings to incorporate input from staff members.

Drawings of the new library have been submitted to New York State Education Department for approval. As mentioned at our public meetings, the process can take 6 to 18 months for approval. In the meantime, we are prepping to move to an alternate location as soon as possible so that site work at 55 Vanderbilt Parkway can begin.

On June 18, your Board of Trustees approved plans for site improvements to Melville to begin this summer. John Tanzi Architects have been hired to execute the approved drawings below. Plan to see upgrades to the parking lot including curbs, sidewalks, book drop, signage, landscaping and lighting.