Pittsburgh City Council voted today to allow the sale of land for a new North Side Carnegie Library.
The vote paves the way for the sale by the Urban Redevelopment Authority to the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh of property at Federal and Parkhurst streets in Central North Side. That location would replace the Allegheny Regional branch in Allegheny Center, damaged by lightning in April 2006 and closed ever since.
Councilwoman Darlene Harris was the lone no vote, saying that the people of her district opposed the move. Her district contains the old branch.
"We can't make the Carnegie Library stay in a location they don't want to stay in," countered Councilwoman Tonya Payne, in whose district the new site sits.
Some historic preservationists have opposed the move, saying that leaving the Allegheny Regional branch changes the character of a structure that is on the National Register of Historic Places.
