BARKER — The newly constructed home of the village offices and Barker Public Library will be formally unveiled to the public next week.
Village officials will host a grand opening ceremony at the new building, 8708 Main St., at 11 a.m. July 26.
The grand opening comes more than five years after the previous building that housed village offices and the library was destroyed by fire in January 2019. Since then, both entities were operating from temporary locations.
Joining village officials at next week’s ceremony will be U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney, state Sen. Robert Ortt, state Assembly member Michael Norris, Niagara County Legislator Shawn Foti and past Barker mayor Aaron Nellist.
Guided tours of the new building will be given following the ceremony, until 2 p.m.
According to Kathie Smith, president of the library’s board of trustees, “finishing touches” are still in progress in the library, which is open to patrons. She estimated outfitting of the library will be completed by the end of August. The library is planning a “dedication celebration” of its own on Aug. 24.
Village officials have been conducting business out of the new building since May 31. The library commenced operations at the new building on June 3.
Construction of the new village hall and library began in April 2022 and was completed this past May. Construction costs totaled approximately $1.2 million, according to village clerk-treasurer Amanda Detschner.
Development of the building was funded with state grants received by the village and the library, as well as the approximately $600,000 insurance payout for the loss of the original building.
At its July business meeting, the village board unanimously approved a resolution to sell the former Barker Police Department headquarters that temporarily housed the village hall, 1697 East Ave. The property was appraised at $120,000.
Normal village business hours at the new village hall are 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The library is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.