While the overall preference seen in the Community Survey was for the library to remain at its current site or in a downtown location, demonstrated need for a significantly larger library facility to accommodate current and long-term community growth poses many challenges to keeping the library in a downtown location, namely the availability of a suitable 3-acre site.
Factors of Consideration
Komatsu Architecture specifically addressed the current site in their study and whether it is feasible to build a new library or expand at the current location. They conclude that consideration of the following factors "may make expansion of the current site cost prohibitive."
- For either new construction or an expansion at the present site:
- 3 acres would be required. The existing library site is approximately 14,000 square feet. An acre is 43,560 square feet; therefore an additional 116,680 square feet [2.7 acres] of adjacent property would need to be acquired
- May incur added expense and possible demolition of existing structures
- Could lead to the city having to exercise eminent domain
- Would incur expense of moving/relocating existing alley utilities
- Would need to consider the additional expense of building a new city hall since the expansion would probably require the current city hall site
- Other issues with keeping the library at its present location include:
- Phased construction, would result in a longer construction period
- Inconvenience to the staff and patrons
- Periods of library closure may be required throughout phased construction
Scale of Proposed Site Next to Current Site