Opinion

Make book on this

Nicole Gelinas’ “Real Estate Fiction” was appropriately titled, as she has made a number of errors about The New York Public Library’s 42nd Street renovation plan (PostOpinion, July 8).

She misses the key point: This renovation will provide beautiful, modern space for the users of Mid-Manhattan, our run-down but most-used circulating library.

The users of Mid-Manhattan and the Science, Industry and Building Library will not be “crammed” into the 42nd Street building. There will be more public space available than currently exists in all three buildings combined.

We are not overhauling “much of the research library.” The research library rooms will not be touched, except to reopen those closed for decades.

Preliminary construction has not begun. We continue to work with architect Norman Foster to refine the design, responding to comments from the public. An experienced builder does not develop a detailed budget without a finished design. We know because every capital project managed by the Library for the past eight years has come in on budget.

Gelinas is almost correct about one thing: The city has committed $151 million to this project — nothing more.

David Offensend

Chief Operating Officer

New York Public Library

Manhattan