Preliminary plans for the Recreational and Cultural Center to be located in the former library facility were revealed at the Plainsboro Township Committee’s meeting on April 28.
Nicholas Duca, of D/H&K Architects, in Moorestown, presented plans that call for a revamp of the outside landscape and renovation of the former library facility that will create meeting rooms, a cooking area, computer training rooms, a drop-in center that can be accessed after hours, bulk storage areas, a painting and crafts room, and a large space in the center of the library that can seat up to 220 people for lectures and other activities.
The renovation of the 19,200-square foot existing structure and the outside plaza surrounding it could cost up to $4.7 million, Duca estimated, presenting a packet of various expenses, which included a number of alternates for the project and provided a breakdown of all the costs, including site surveying and civil engineering fees.
The next step is for township officials to present the economics behind funding the project to the Township Committee before the permission is given to Duca and his associates to create a specific plan and send the project out to bid.
Officials hope to present the funding information to the Township Committee as soon as possible, although no definitive date for that discussion has been scheduled.
In 2008 the township began looking at a number of possibilities for the former library facility, including additional community meeting space for its recreational department programs in order to enhance and expand township programs.
