Friends group to fill federal funding gap for Fletcher Free Library preservation project; board approves acceptance of up to $845,000 grant

The Board of Finance on June 2 recommended the City Council authorize acceptance of a grant of up to $845,000 from the Friends of the Fletcher Free Library to support preservation work at the Fletcher Free Library’s 1904 building.

Mary Vico, speaking for the library, told the board the project had been planned around multiple funding sources, including federal support. She said the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) award the project expected was rescinded, leaving a funding gap. The Friends — the library’s 501(c)(3) support organization — offered to step in to cover that gap so the preservation work can proceed, Vico said.

Vico described a multi-source project budget of about $2.6 million that includes a $500,000 National Park Service grant and a $500,000 city match. Faced with the rescission of the anticipated federal grant, the Friends offered the up-to-$845,000 grant so the project can continue. The board’s recommended action authorizes the CAO to execute a grant agreement between the city and the Friends, subject to final city attorney review.

Councilor Travers moved the recommendation and Councilor Carpenter seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The CAO was authorized to take all further actions necessary to reflect acceptance of the grant in the project budget and to execute related documents after attorney review.