CANTON − Downtown Canton is getting closer to the construction of a new library.
Crews began demolishing the old Main Library at 715 Market Ave. N on Feb. 10. Workers began removing carpet, drywall, lighting and other non-fixed components from the inside on Jan. 26.
The demolition is expected to take about three months, concluding around May. Construction on the new Main Library is expected to begin around April.
Stark Library is demolishing the existing library to make room for a new 70,000-square-foot library.
The $54 million building will include two large meeting rooms, a maker studio, interactive children’s play and learning area, study rooms, an outdoor story walk, community greenspace and new technology.
The Main Library closed at the end of August to move materials and departments to a temporary location during the demolition and construction. The temporary library location at 1020 Market Ave. N opened in October. The new Main Library is expected to open in 2028.
Stark Library employees recently moved into the new Operations Center across the street from the future site of the new Main Library. The $12 million building — which is not open to the public — serves all 10 library locations.
Reach Grace at 330-580-8364 or gspringer@usatodayco.com Follow her on X @GraceSpringer16.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Out with the old. Crews begin demolishing former Stark Library in downtown Canton
Reporting by Grace Springer, Canton Repository / The Repository
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