The Library Board will move forward with contractual negotiations to purchase the former quilt store building at 736 Main St.
After an executive session Tuesday night, board members voted to pursue purchasing the building in hopes of making it the new home for the library.
This vote comes after conversations over the last several months about possible avenues to pursue a new library – whether that be a new building in the lot owned by the library, a city collaboration with a new joint City Hall and library, or by purchasing the former quilt store building down the street owned by the DeArmonds.
The board had conversations with the city before ultimately deciding they would rather pursue a building on their own for the time being.
There had also been concerns about city parking regulations for the library since it is not a commercial building, but these issues have since been addressed. The city’s ordinance allows for property owners to obtain a variance by making shared parking agreements with neighboring entities, President Kenny Massey said.
The library has now made an agreement with Kaw Valley State Bank for their 24 spots and with Aaron Thakker for seven spots. Thakker is under contract with a building to the south. The library’s architect also determined there are 10 spots on the south side of 736 Main.
The board had also discussed the need for fire suppression devices within the building. To meet these needs, they just need to place a fire door between the north and south halves of the building.
The library board, along with staff, will continue to work with an architect on the floor plan for the new location to get it to an operational state. They will then get a cost estimate from the construction company. They also have to plan for new ADA bathrooms as part of that design.
These plans will then have to go through the Board of Zoning Appeals, Massey said.
“I feel like this is a big step forward, because we’re moving on with the next step. We were stuck for a little while,” board member Amy Jankowski said.
Massey also said the board has to consider what it will do with the property they own across the street from the current library because selling it could help significantly with funding the renovations.
The library board also can use its capital campaign funds to renovate the new location. The current library building goes back to city ownership once it is not being used as a library, but Massey said he has heard interest in a buyer for the building.
Board member Eric Magette said he is excited about the opportunity and said if this process is successful, it has the opportunity to give the community a library they can be proud of.
“I think this is going to be, could be, a win-win for Main Street and for the library. It’s been a lot of people working really hard on it,” he said.
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