EDITOR: Four and one half years ago when I became a library
commissioner, I was shocked at the passionate controversy over the
location of a future library.
EDITOR:
Four and one half years ago when I became a library commissioner, I was shocked at the passionate controversy over the location of a future library.
I now realize this passion is a wonderful thing, reflecting the importance so many people in our community place on this public building.
Many of these concerned citizens spoke eloquently at Wednesday’s City Council meeting, and I believe they were heard by our council members. Obviously not everyone will have their first choice selected as the future library site, but all we library supporters win if we get a new library.
One of the problems for the library commission and the City Council is that comparing possible sites is not simple. City Manager Ed Tewes made the analogy of deciding whether to buy a Honda Accord or lease a Toyota Camry.
The city currently owns the civic center site land, but will have to pay a market rate amount for the downtown site land in 25 years or so. Meanwhile the city will make lease-to-own payments on the downtown library instead of paying for the building up front. Is this a good deal? Maybe. Maybe not.
There is a great deal of statistical evidence that locating a library in a high visibility area is a good idea. I fully agree with that concept, although not all the library commissioners do. Building the alibrary on the downtown site could be a catalyst for other improvements in the area, and whether they spend money or not, 1,500 people a day (at a minimum) will visit the library and add vitality to our city center.
I personally have concerns about the downtown site having an efficient library design, enough parking for both library patrons and 40 residences, room for library expansion and traffic flow that is pedestrian-friendly while avoiding excessive congestion. The council is well aware of these issues and is planning to address them.
Regardless of which site is chosen for a library, so long as it is well planned and done with fiscal responsibility, all we library advocates are winners.
Jeanne Gregg, Morgan Hill
