Dinniman Presents Check for Planned Downingtown Library, Senior Center
New Facility will be Part of River Station Development

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 2009

CONTACT: MARTIN INDARS                 
PHONE: 610-692-2112     
mindars@pasenate.com                                                                

DOWNINGTOWN (January 26) – State Senator Andy Dinniman recently presented a check for $500,000 to local library and senior center officials to assist in the construction of a new combined Downingtown Library and Downingtown Area Senior Center.

“While cities across the nation are facing library closures, in Chester County we are pursuing new avenues to cut costs and continue serving our growing communities,” Dinniman said. “This is a perfect example of two non-profit organizations banding together for a new facility – one that will be a focal point of a new residential and commercial development. It is a public-private partnership working at its best.”

The plan is to renovate an existing building on the old Sonoco Paper Factory near the intersection of Route 322 and Boot Road and turn it into a new 20,000 square foot library and senior center that will be an important part of the 76-acre residential and commercial River Station development.

Dinniman said this is the first and only joint senior center–library project that he knows of. The facility will be incorporated into a new development featuring residential units, as well as retail, restaurant and other business opportunities.

The $500,000 in state funding represents only a fraction of the $3.5 million project. The remaining funds will be raised from private donations, the sale of current facilities and the developer, the Percheron Group.

“This project will give a real boost to Downingtown and the local economy,” Dinniman said. “Even in difficult economic times, we continue to look forward and invest in revitalization. Even in periods of dwindling resources, we support our libraries and senior centers. Instead of closing them or cutting services, we find different ways to economize and better ways to serve the community.”

The new senior center will be 10,000 square feet, and the new library will be 8,000 square feet. In addition, the two organizations will share 2,000 square feet of classroom space, meeting rooms, a kitchenette and restrooms.

Dinniman also pointed out that in a waning economy more people use public libraries for job leads, access to electronic resources and even recreation.

The Downingtown Public Library’s circulation already increased by 11 percent between 2007 and 2008. 

Senior center and library officials said that the project could not come at a better time and looked to the possibilities of expanded programming and collaboration in their new home.

“There is no question that this will allow us to expand our programs and continue to serve the growing number of seniors for years to come,” Bill Pierce, Executive Director of the Downingtown Area Senior Center, said. “But it will also offer more opportunities for interaction between seniors, young people and other members of the community. That is something you can’t put a price on.”

Senator Dinniman presented the check to Pierce, senior center President Jim Terry, Downingtown Library Board President Deborah Miles, and library Director Karen Miller at the Jasper Restaurant in Downingtown on January 23.

For more details, contact Martin Indars in Senator Dinniman’s office at 1-610-692-2112 or at mindars@pasenate.com.

###