Luria Tours Regional Library Construction Site in Parksley

Congresswoman Elaine Luria toured the construction site of the Eastern Shore’s new regional library in Parksley Thursday.

The $5.3 million, 20,837-square-foot facility, which will be the regional headquarters for the Eastern Shore Public Library system as well as home to the new Eastern Shore of Virginia Heritage Center, is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.

It is located at 24313 Bennett St., at the site of a former Fresh Pride grocery store.

The library project includes renovating and adding on to the former store. Ground was broken on the library in October 2019.

The Eastern Shore Public Library Foundation earlier this year was awarded a $500,000 grant following a letter of support to the National Endowment for the Humanities from Luria. The grant will pay for equipment, furnishings, and technology not included in the construction contract.

“Not only does this put the Eastern Shore’s history in the national limelight, but this also brings the ESVA Heritage Center into the NEH network of humanities institutions, opening doors to new collaborations, support, and opportunities,” said Dr. Art Fournier, chairman of the Foundation’s grant committee, in a press release. Fournier led a team of volunteers, staff, historians, and archivists who worked on the grant application.

Luria was accompanied on the tour by Accomack County, Parksley, and library representatives, including Parksley Mayor Frank Russell; Accomack County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman C. Reneta Major; Supervisor Paul Muhly; Eastern Shore Public Library Director Cara Burton; Accomack County Administrator Mike Mason; Colette Nelson, president of the ESPL Foundation; Jay Davenport, Foundation vice president; Fournier; Tom Rakowski, Foundation and Steering Committee construction oversight representative; steering committee member Tim Valentine; and Janice Felker, ESPL Youth Services Coordinator.