Statement before Glenn
A. Walsh
Historic Hazelwood
Named No. 4 in Top-Ten Electronic Mail: < gawalsh@andrewcarnegie.cc >
For
Preservation Internet Web Site: < http://www.andrewcarnegie.cc
>
2004 May 5
Good morning. I am Glenn A.
Walsh of
On Monday evening, to
kick-off National Historic Preservation Week, the Young Preservationists
Association of Pittsburgh named the historic Hazelwood Branch Library building
as number four in their second-annual list of the “Top Ten Best Preservation Opportunities
for 2004.”
The Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh is the third
major regional organization to recognize the importance of the historic
Hazelwood Library building. Late last year, the Pittsburgh History and
Landmarks Foundation nominated the historic Hazelwood Library building, along
with the historic library buildings in Lawrenceville,
In their report regarding the
historic Hazelwood Library building, the Young Preservationists Association
notes that “preliminary discussions with a local architectural firm to find
funds for its restoration” has begun. Why did Carnegie Library not work with the neighborhood to do
this, instead of just abandoning the library and auditorium for a smaller
library-only site?
If money can be found to
rehabilitate the historic Hazelwood Library building, I would fully support
such plans provided the original
woodwork and furnishings, particularly the landmark circulation desk, are kept
intact. This woodwork and furnishings are just as important historically, from
an interior design perspective, as the exterior of the building which would be
protected by the City Designated Historic Structure designation. The historic
interior, which helped define later Carnegie Libraries nationwide, can not be forgotten.
With many other vacant
structures and empty lots in Hazelwood, it is difficult to understand how money
for the library building’s rehabilitation can become available, without a major
tenant for the building. And, with a major riverfront development planned a few
blocks away, it is likely that most potential commercial tenants would prefer
to be in the new development, rather than spend money to ameliorate years of
Carnegie Library’s deferred maintenance.
The historic Hazelwood
Library building does need rehabilitation. However, once rehabilitated, the
Hazelwood Branch of The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh should be returned to
this historic building, once their five-year lease has expired in the current
library site. The Hazelwood Library building was designed to be a library—the
library’s return would be the best fit for this historic building.
Thank you.
gaw