City to hear $1.1M library expansion plan

It’s a city budget versus a historic building.

City commissioners tonight will be asked to approve a $1.1 million project to expand the Carnegie Library building at Ninth and Vermont streets, despite a city budget that is expected to be tight in 2009.

City commissioners are mixed on the project, which would allow the 104-year-old building to be used for public events and provide permanent office space for the leaders of the new National Heritage Area.

“I’m not yet convinced this is the right time,” City Commissioner Rob Chestnut said. “It is a great, historic building that has a lot of significance in the community. But sometimes the price tag is just too big to move forward on right now.”

City staff members are recommending that commissioners approve a site plan for the project, and set a bid date to begin constructing a 1,200-square-foot expansion on the northern end of the building.

The city has received a $98,768 federal grant that it will lose if work doesn’t start by August.

“I understand that we’re talking about $98,000 of federal funding at risk, but we still would have to spend $1.1 million of city money,” said Chestnut, who said he wants more information about what other projects would have to be delayed if the Carnegie project moves forward.

City Commissioner Mike Amyx said he’s ready to consider starting the project. Amyx and staff members said the new uses would help strengthen downtown and give a boost to the city’s efforts to promote heritage tourism. Parks and Recreation leaders have envisioned renting portions of the building for wedding receptions, music recitals and other activities.

“I think the building has an awful lot of potential,” Amyx said. “And this is the kind of use that we want to be able to promote in our downtown.”

The expansion is designed to bring the facility up to code by creating a handicapped-accessible entrance and ADA-compliant restrooms, as well as make the space more functional.

Commissioners meet at 6:35 p.m. tonight at City Hall, Sixth and Massachusetts streets.