Could it really be true—is the Urban League finally preparing to move out of 765 State St., opening the way to the long-overdue restoration of full library services in Mason Square?
According to a May 21 update on the status of the building—which the City Council voted to take by eminent domain last August—city attorney Robert Warren reports: “The City has been informed this week that the Urban League has found selected [sic] a new site and will make a public announcement once an agreement has been finalized with the landlord.
“The Urban League will be submitting a written request to the City to remain in their present space beyond June 1, 2010, until their move plans and their relocation claim can be finalized. The Urban League will pay a use and occupancy fee. The City will review the Urban League request once it is received.”
Previously, City Hall had said the Urban League needed to be out of the building this month in order for the library to re-open in the fall, after some necessary repairs. In a message on the Mason Square Library blog, Molly Fogarty, the city’s library director, reports: “Renovation plans are moving along. [Architect] Steve Jablonski and staff have been working with the furniture vendor and a meeting is scheduled for next week to plan the Reading Garden.”
