Carnegie Library Demolition

Editorial Note: Patchogue Village Mayor Paul Pontieri and Rob Loscalzo, chief operating officer of Tritec, have commented on the Carnegie Library situation. The full story can be found here. Discussion regarding the Village of Patchogue's situation involving the building will take place at .

Andrew Carnegie, born in 1835, was one of the wealthiest men of his time and one of the greatest philanthropists in U.S. history. Carnegie believed in giving his private fortune to advance the public good.  He donated much of his personal wealth to build over 1,609 free libraries throughout the United States so that citizens could learn on their own to advance their lives.

These libraries were a great source of pride to the communities that received them. Today, across the nation, cities still fortunate to have a Carnegie Library have utilized the buildings in different ways.  While some are still operating as libraries, others now serve as community centers or museums.  Although Patchogue Village was one of the towns that benefitted from Carnegie's generosity, this precious Carnegie Library, one of only two left on Long Island (the other being in Northport), is now on the chopping block.

Tritec, a multi-million dollar development group, has purchased this hidden gem from Patchogue Village. Although Tritec received a $1 million grant from the state to relocate the library and originally promised to move it, Tritec and Mayor Pontieri are now questioning its structural integrity and discussing its possible demolition.  This is disturbing because in 2009 when Tritec promised to move the library, it had already been examined by engineers. Mayor Pontieri was even quoted in the paper as saying the library was "actually in pretty good shape." (The Advance, March 12, 2009)

It is ironic that the developer has taken the public's money to move the library and may now keep it to maximize its private profit. This turns Carnegie's formula, private money for public good, on its head.

I want to know whose interests Mayor Pontieri is representing and if it is legal for Tritec to keep these state funds if the library is destroyed. The public should not stand for it, and the authorities should investigate it.