Traffic has increased along Walnut Street recently as Troy residents are anxiously watching the progress on the long awaited new Troy Public Library.

“People are stopping by to give me progress reports on the new library and, of course, I’m riding by, too,” said William White, TPL director. “It’s exciting to see the construction underway. It has been a long time coming but it will be well worth the wait.”

No target date has been announced for the completion of the 24,000-square-foot multi-use library.

Construction of the new library began without fanfare and that was by design.

“We wanted to focus on the grand opening, not when ground was broken,” White said. “The construction is going along at a steady clip and I’m pleased with the progress.”

White said the front of the library was modified so the artist’s rendering that many people viewed is not the way the facility will look.

“The front was modified to give the library a more traditional look and those who have seen the new artist’s rendering like it better and so do I,” White said.

“The front of the library will be on Walnut Street and will overlook the Troy Municipal Complex,” White said. “It will be very impressive and we wanted the areas around the building to be useful and attractive.”

Those who frequent the Troy Public Library have expressed interest in the reading garden that will be located on the Elm Street side of the library.

“The reading garden will be a paved area with benches that will accommodate about 50 people comfortably,” White said. “The garden area will be attractively landscaped and will be an ideal area for children’s outdoor activities as well as for reading.”

The reading garden will be gated with access only through the library.

The idea of selling inscribed bricks from the old Troy High School as a fundraiser had to be discarded because the bricks were not strong enough to withstand the pressure.

“We hope now to use some of the old bricks in the reading garden,” White said.

Another outdoor feature will be the pedestrian-only area on the Academy Street side of the library.

“We have a large land area on the Academy Street side of the library that can be used for programming,” White said. “It will be a natural area with sidewalks and lamps.”

Hopes are for an amphitheater to be part of the library complex. However, if that happens, White said the amphitheater will be located behind the library.