By Mallory Mankin, Staff Writer
The Wheaton Public Library celebrated the completion of its renovated plaza Tuesday, Sept. 8, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by an outdoor concert in the newly redesigned space. The ceremony featured Wheaton Mayor Philip Suess; U.S. Rep. Sean Casten, D-6th District; and U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-3rd District.
The project was funded through a $750,000 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, secured by Casten in 2022 in collaboration with the city of Wheaton and the library board.
The renovation added an accessibility ramp and expanded the space’s potential as a venue for library programming and community events with a canopy and benches. Suess highlighted the need for the library’s renovations, noting that the plaza hadn’t been updated since 2007.
“We had accessibility issues we needed to address,” Suess said in an interview with the Record.
According to Ed Sirovatka, the library’s facilities and IT manager, the federal funding allowed the project to expand beyond basic repairs into a broader reimagining of the space.
Casten mentioned the collaborative efforts of public servants who make strides to support public projects, thanking all involved in the project. He also noted that the library was a great place to invest in.
“It is giving everybody from the youngest people in the basement to the seniors up on the top floor the opportunity to learn and grow,” Casten said.
The grant was part of a larger package of federal funding Casten secured in 2022 for community development projects across the 6th District.
In recognition of his support, Betsy Adamowski, the library’s executive director, presented him with a crystal book with the phrase “All leaders are readers” to thank him for his significant contribution to the project.
Ramirez also spoke at the event. Ramirez and Casten both represent the city of Wheaton in Congress. In her speech, she credited this project to the impact of collaboration.
“See what happens when we work together?” she said. “We can make government work for the people.”
Mayor Suess celebrated the library as an institution, praising it for winning the Daily Herald Reader’s Choice Award for Best Library for the second year in a row. Afterward, he presented the library board and representatives with America 250 commemorative coins.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony wrapped up shortly after Casten cut the ribbon, and the celebration continued with a concert on the plaza at 6 p.m.
Courtney Tedrick, the library’s community engagement department head, is responsible for scheduling the concerts and outdoor programming. The library has had seven concerts this summer and has scheduled engagements for the fall. She noted that the plaza would aid community life.
“We did some outdoor movies on the plaza in the summer,” Tedrick said. “It’s a huge stage now.”
The top tier of the plaza is larger, with more stairs leading up to it, along with an accessible ramp. Tables and umbrellas were set out during the day but were pushed aside for the concert.
Tuesday’s performance featured the JukeBox Heroes, a local acoustic band that covers rock, pop and country songs — many attendees brought their dancing shoes to enjoy the band.
With blue skies above, a sunset bouncing off the library walls and tapping toes, the plaza was officially in use as a part of the Wheaton community.
