LIBRARY PROJECT MOVING TO NEXT PAGE

MIDDLETOWN, RI (JUNE 2, 2026) – The new Middletown Public Library should open in early 2027.

The Town Council approved a resolution Monday night at a Town Hall meeting supporting a Guaranteed Maximum Price agreement to complete many portions of the exciting effort at 110 Enterprise Center.

With that sign off, demolition and construction is expected to begin soon in the existing building behind Town Hall, potentially next week.

Importantly, town leaders have said the project won’t cost local taxpayers a dime because of how it’s being funded. 

Rather than using taxes, the entire price tag was being covered by money from the community’s Public Private Venture (PPV) Fund. The PPV Fund is paid from the town’s 50-year agreement to provide emergency services to the Balfour Beatty Communities neighborhoods off Coddington Highway and Greene Lane.

“Tell me what town builds a new police station, builds an addition to the fire station with renovations, buys a building for a new library and renovations and it doesn’t impact the tax rate?” council President Paul M. Rodrigues asked during a public hearing last week. “I mean, that’s unheard of…We knew when we made (the PPV agreement) that we were going to use that money for capital projects and that’s exactly what we’re doing.” 

When the town bought 110 Enterprise Center in October 2024, the library project was forecasted to be done sooner. 

But because the state review process was more deliberate and careful than expected, the timeline was pushed back to early 2027.

With the necessary local and state approvals in hand, the council signed off Monday night was the last phase required to get the library work going again.

The list of work includes everything from removing walls and other interior demolition to upgrading the heating, plumbing and ventilation systems, exterior site work and more.

To review the scope of the upcoming project, visit https://www.middletownri.gov/DocumentCenter/View/25756/Middletown-Public-Library-Resolution online for more.

From the day the town closed on the approximately 30,000-square-foot building and 3.5 acre parcel, there’s been excitement at the library for the project.

The existing building at 700 West Main Road — originally constructed as a Navy daycare center — has been riddled with issues. In addition to being too small to house a modern library operation, the floor has buckled in multiple areas and the HVAC system is problematic, among other concerns.

The new facility is about three times as large as the existing building, will include modern dedicated spaces, additional room and meeting spaces and more. For details about the project, visit https://mdl.town/LBC online.

According to the plan, 700 West Main Road will remain open until 110 Enterprise Center is done. Then, there will be a seamless transition from the old building into the new welcoming space.

Middletown Shared Facilities Director Ed Collins said everyone involved with the project was looking forward to getting to the next phase.

Despite the delays, Collins said the project remains firmly on budget, with a number of donations pouring in and more expected in coming weeks. To give to the effort, visit https://mdl.town/WAG online.

“Collectively, financially, we’re in a great position,” Collins said. “It seems crazy that I’m saying this after a five-month delay, but we are. As always like I’ve said with the library, we’re in budget. We’re just not on time.”

Document Link: https://mdl.town/NYCU-Library-6226

About Middletown

The Town of Middletown is a vibrant municipality located on Aquidneck Island, known for its scenic beauty, historic landmarks, diverse economy and strong sense of community. For more information about all we have to offer, visit MiddletownRI.gov online.

Media Contact

Matt Sheley

Public Affairs Officer

401-842-6543

msheley@middletownri.gov