Two options for future uses of the Carnegie library building at Ninth and Vermont are on the Lawrence City Commission agenda for Tuesday night.

The two plans – turning the building over to the nonprofit Americana Music Academy or using it to provide additional space for the city’s Parks and Recreation Department – both have some positive aspects and some potential drawbacks.

The Americana group proposes that it be allowed to use the building rent-free. The academy would pay for all utilities and general maintenance of the building, which it says would be used for music classes and other events.

The music academy is similar, in some ways, to the building’s previous tenant, the Lawrence Arts Center. If it is to community music events what the Arts Center was to community art events, it could be an asset to Lawrence. The Arts Center was a hub of activity, drawing hundreds of people a month to classes, exhibits and performances. If the Americana group’s proposal is accepted, commissioners should make sure the building isn’t used only for private or group music lessons that involve relatively few people.

Using the Carnegie space for Parks and Recreation activities, such as community education classes and general meeting space for community organizations, also has some appeal. Financially, it is a bigger commitment for the city, which then would have to pay for the operation of the building. That could be a significant cost for the city, but if it prevents the need to build new Parks and Rec space, it might be a good deal.

One of the justifications for turning the building over to Parks and Rec has been the need for additional meeting space for the community. For instance, officials cited the fact that meeting space at the Lawrence Visitors Center had 365 reservations in 2005, and about 100 events were turned away because the space was too small or already booked.

Lawrence clearly needs more community meeting space, but the space must be both suitable and affordable for community groups. The reason the Lawrence Public Library auditorium is booked solid is because it is one of the only spaces in town that is available without charge.

Either of the options that have been presented to the commission seem to provide stability and sustainability that was lacking in the earlier proposal to house a literacy center at the site. The challenge for commissioners remains to make sure this landmark building retains an active role in downtown and in the lives of Lawrence residents.