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Woodson Library Repairs Delayed Again, 12 Years After Scaffolding Went Up

 Community members say they are ready to see the scaffolding outside of the Woodson Library gone.
Community members say they are ready to see the scaffolding outside of the Woodson Library gone.
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DNAinfo/Andrea V. Watson

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — A project to repair the crumbling facade of the Carter G. Woodson Regional Library has again been delayed.

Bidding for the contract to repair the library's expterior was supposed to begin Thursday, but a city spokeswoman on Friday said questions about the project delayed the process until May 3.

Ald. Howard Brookins (21st) and community members have been disappointed with the state of the library where scaffolding reportedly has been set up out front for a dozen years.

The regional library houses the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature, the largest African-American history and literature collection in the Midwest.

Vistors to the library, at 9525 S. Halsted, last week said that the scaffolding had been there for so long, they couldn’t remember a time when it wasn't there.

“This has been a part of the building,” Pierre Norman said. “It has been an eyesore because of where the library is located. It wouldn’t be this way if it were in Beverly or Downtown.”

Gabriel Muhammad, whose mother still lives in the neighborhood, said he would be glad when the scaffolding finally is removed.

Area resident Victor Stewart, said he wants the old library to be torn down and a new one to be built in its place.

The scaffolding bothers him, he said.

“It has been there for a while,” he said. “We tend to accept things like that in the 'hood; most people are grateful that the city took precaution to even put it up there.”

Yvonne LaGrone said she doesn’t even notice the scaffolding now because she has gotten used to it.

“It would be great to have it taken down and see the library restored to its historic use,” she said.

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