11/17/1987 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Johnson favored the Catron site, and if that was not chosen, then the MacArthur site would be his next choice. Wayne Gerhold, resident of Village Green since 1979, favored the downtown site because of its historical flavor. Daphne Strickland, 685 Glenview Terrace reminisced about the beginnings of Vero Beach and the many volunteers who gave of their time to repair library books, etc. She emphasized that the community was built on cooperation, and felt that there would be enough parking in the downtown site if we used the parking that exists there now with the 3 churches. She further felt that we need branch libraries to the south, west and east. Commissioner Eggert believed this town could function with a 35,000 sq. ft. facility and be more aggressive with community libraries. To get the feel of a 50,000 sq. ft. facility, she has walked through the Wal-Mart store, which is just under 50,000 sq. ft., and has no problem at all with recommending a 35,000 sq. ft., one-story facility. Chairman Scurlock noted that a 35,000 sq. ft. facility fits nicely on the Grace Lutheran site, whereas a 50,000 sq. ft. facility takes up almost the entire block. Commissioner Wheeler asked about traffic capacity, and Mr. Boling did not feel we would have any problem with traffic congestion on any of the 3 sites. Kent Radford, speaking on behalf of the Catron site, wished to point out some of the benefits that the Catron property would provide, such as a contiguous parcel and no cost for extra parking. Although he agreed with the downtown revitalization, he felt there would be a parking problem and was concerned that people would have to park their cars and cross a street to enter into the library. His wife works at the Courthouse and has said there is a problem there now. Mr. Radford emphasized that eventually the Grace Lutheran site would be twice as much as the Catron site when the Catron site has twice the land. He reported NOV 17 1987 31 BOOK 70 F,c-��6 L