Rockford Public Library is Contaminated, May Be Torn Down

One of my greatest memories of my childhood with my grandmother was going to the library.

She would take us to the library all of the time. We would go on the weekends for special readings from guest readers, we would check out fun books and videos and it was a place we learned together.

The Rockford Public Library on Wyman Street has always been a place for students and families to learn, read and spend time with each other.

The public library in downtown Rockford could be torn down due to contamination in the ground. Where the library is currently used to be the Rockford Gas Light and Coke building. The building was bought by ComEd and they are responsible for the clean up. This contaminated ground is seeping through the floors and in order to clean it up, the building needs to be removed.

The contaminated soil could be removed by tearing down the entire building, or by lifting the building and repairing what has been contaminated.

According to WIFR, Alderman Tim Durkee is looking for a new permanent home for the library somewhere downtown.