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NEW ROCHELLE - Despite some residents' concerns for the future of the public library, the library's Board of Trustees said there are no plans to redevelop the iconic building in the heart of the city's downtown. 

“As of today, there's no agreement,” said New Rochelle Public Library Director Tom Geoffino, referring to ongoing discussions with developer RXR over the future of the library property, at 1 Library Plaza.

The site was identified in the city's 2015 master plan as a potential area for redevelopment. Although library officials say they've been in talks with the developer for two years, they declined to say what the ultimate goal is.

Nonetheless, residents have created a petition discouraging the library's Board of Trustees from entering into a partnership with RXR.

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The petition is being pushed by Library United, a social activist group of New Rochelle residents that was created around the same time the 2015 master plan was approved.

“I learned to read on the library’s steps,” said Library United member Gordon Hiland. "I love the library, and that it's in downtown New Rochelle.”

In response to the petition, a library board statement said they "entered into these discussions with the sole goal of exploring a potential opportunity to provide our patrons and the residents of our city with an enhanced, state of the art, sustainable resource."

Most recently, the trustees discussed a deal with RXR that would have required the company to fund hiring a consultant to assess the value of the property. In exchange, RXR would get the rights to future development.

Library board President Chuck Burke declined to give more details of the discussions.

“Our statement speaks to the truth and the reality of where things are,” he said.

Burke said a vote on the agreement has not been scheduled.

“When the board is prepared to vote on an agreement with RXR, we will post it on our website seven days in advance," he said. 

Whatever happens, Burke said the library board will ensure that services aren't interrupted.

“This is between RXR and the library board," said New Rochelle Commissioner of Development Luiz Aragon. "We, the city, have no say and we don’t want to push it in one direction or another. It’s entirely up to them."

The library is valued at roughly $12 million, according to the city's assessor office. 

Hiland said he posted the petition online last month. It has received just over 300 signatures, a third of the way to its goal of 1,000.

“I hope the petition puts pressure on the library Board of Trustees to not sell this asset,” Hiland said.

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