Laserfiche WebLink
a E c <br />11997 <br />BOOK <br />70 r uE 2?4 <br />However, <br />he felt that any of the 3 sites would be a <br />reasonable <br />site for a library. <br />Commissioner Bowman agreed that putting the library on the <br />Grace Lutheran site would be like putting an elephant on a <br />postage stamp, and did not feel the library would be a benefit to <br />the downtown area. She wanted to see a master plan for a capital <br />improvements program , and until somebody comes forth with that, <br />she did not see any reason for us to put our money in that area. <br />She supported the Catron property because she felt it has it all. <br />Commissioner Eggert stated that she had never before been so <br />totally torn about anything in her entire life. She felt there <br />are great advantages to both sites, but at this point is leaning <br />to the Grace Lutheran site. She recalled that in the beginning <br />when they talked of having the library on the downtown site, it <br />was with the thought that it could do something for downtown, and <br />in return, would limit the cost of the library. The trade-off <br />would be that if we were in the position of having to purchase <br />land for parking, the cost of that would be covered in future <br />bonding for the new courthouse, etc. This is one of the reasons <br />that staff was directed to go out and look for property that <br />could be leased for the purpose of additional parking. <br />Commissioner Eggert believed that the library, along with the new <br />courthouse which is expected to proceed within the next two <br />years, will stimulate the revitalization of the downtown area, <br />and for that reason, stated that she is leaning towards the Grace <br />Lutheran site. <br />Commissioner Bird agreed completely with the concept of <br />revitalizing and restoring the downtown area, but did not feet <br />that we should force our main library on a site that is too <br />small. He believed the courthouse needs study currently being <br />done may very well indicate that we need that Grace Lutheran <br />property and other nearby properties for governmental purposes. <br />He believed we would end up paying almost double per square foot <br />31 <br />