Library board gets behind TrueNorth site, pushing for library by December 2012

The library board will rally behind the TrueNorth site and hopes to have a new downtown library completed by December 2012.

TrueNorth was not the board's first or second choice, but Board President Susan Corrigan said Thursday she is glad the question is resolved, and she thinks the library board's work helped hasten the decision.

“Well, we have a site,” she said at the board's monthly meeting. “It's very important that we all rally behind that site.”

Doug Elliott, vice chairman of the board, said if TrueNorth can vacate their building by summer 2011, the new library can open its doors by the end of 2012. Officials at TrueNorth have said summer 2011 is possible, but they may not be able to leave until December 2011.

“It's very dependent on TrueNorth's ability to vacate the site in a timely manner,” Elliott said.

Next up for the library board is to choose a construction firm to manage the project - hire an architect, oversee the design process, and make sure everything falls within Federal Emergency Management Agency guidelines. Three construction firms will interview for the job next week, and the board should make a decision within two weeks, Elliott said.

Beginning construction of the $45 million library before TrueNorth vacates the property is no longer an option, Elliott said. Much is yet to be resolved - everything from how the building is situated on the block to the color of the carpet.

“And parking. We haven't yet addressed the issue of parking, which we'll have to discuss with the city,” Elliott said.