Skaneateles Library May Be Getting a New Home Near Lake

An old home in Onondaga County may be the site of a new library.

Officials at the Skaneateles Library are said to be considering a move a few blocks up the street to the site of the Stella Maris Retreat and Renewal Center, a facility located on Skaneateles Lake which has been closed indefinitely.

The mansion at the six-plus-acre retreat was built in 1879.  Officials say that would be torn down to make way for a new library.

The library is currently located at 49 East Genesee Street in Skaneateles.  The Stella Maris Retreat and Renewal Center is located at 130 East Genesee Street.  According to a December 2014 article by Antoinette Siu for Syracuse.com, the home - which was originally built by Frederick and Mary Roosevelt - was put up for sale last year by the Sisters of the Third Franciscan Order of Syracuse because they could no longer afford to maintain it.

According to its website, the Skaneateles Library Association's history dates back to the early 1800's; and the existing structure which houses most of the library's collections was dedicated on February 27, 1890.  Officials now say that the old building is due for an expensive upgrade.

MetroSource reports that funding issues are preventing the deal from being finalized.