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Q:  Why are you moving out of the center of Hillsdale?  Weren't there any other sites in town?

A:  When it was deemed impossible to expand on our current site we began looking for property on routes 22 and 23 trying to stay as close to the center of Hillsdale as possible.

We investigated a number of sites within the town line, but didn't find any that were both available and large enough for a new site.  We need an absolute minimum of 2 acres.

Route 23 - East of Traffic Light
Pax Antiques - 1.5 acres
TP Garden Center - .8 acre
Langdon Curtis farm - house and land purchased separately by other parties.

Route 23 - West of Traffic Light
Berkshire Bank property - 1.2 acres. In order to be allowed to purchase and build on that site, we would have to guarantee the bank future rights to parts of the library which we felt were in conflict with our goals and objectives as a public library.  Additionally, the site was smaller than our minimum 2 acre needs, with no possibility of acquiring additional adjoining acreage.
Mount Washington House - follow link MWH
House to the west of the library - follow link HW
The open land just to the west of the town line on Rt. 23, the land was too close to a Federal Wetlands area, which presented too many obstacles and restrictions for our construction goals and final use.
Smith and Thomas properties just beyond the center of town and on the north side of Rt. 23. There were serious concerns about traffic flow and access, shape and slope of land, and potential objections from neighbors. 
Cadby Shutts VFW - purchased by another party

Route 22 - South of Traffic Light
Land next to Stewarts - low, flood plain
Roe Jan School bus garage - owner not interested in selling garage only

Route 22 - North of Traffic Light
Land behind Hillsdale firehouse - Columbia Land Conservancy Trust - not available.
Two other plots owned by Eberhard Brothers Developers - owners not willing to sell.
Tribrook Motel/house - poor visibility, demolition expense
Cornfield Rt. 22 & Whipporwill - owner wanted to keep for agriculture

The Building Committee approached Weir Stewart when they heard rumors that he would be selling land.  Mr. Stewart offered us the 9 acre parcel on Route 22 north of the Roe Jan School.  The parcel was level, had good exit visibility, and had nothing to be demolished.  It would be large enough for our planned one story building with the potential for expansion in the future.  The site had ample parking and outside space for our library fair, barbecue, and other community events.   There were gorgeous views to the West. It was on the main road and only 7/10 of a mile from Hillsdale.  Mr. Stewart offered it to us at a very reasonable price which, given our lack of success in Hillsdale, we accepted with alacrity.