Marion Library in need of remodel

To the editor:

The Marion Library director has been pushing for a new facility almost from the day he was hired. Our beautiful library is less than 20 years old and being allowed to deteriorate so he can justify building a new one.

I recently went to the library and saw a dead tree on the property, the retaining wall on the east is unstable and the wooded decorations at the entrance should be replaced. I talked with a council representative about the deplorable conditions and was told the city has partnered with a developer to buy the old library to build a grocery store with apartments above and then use the present library parking lot to build a new $15 million library complete with auditorium, more meeting rooms, more computer room and possibly a coffee shop. Is Marion trying to keep up with Cedar Rapids?

Is an uptown grocery necessary when every drugstore and convenience store sells food, cigarettes and beer? Do we really need a coffee bar to compete with Witts End and the Kettlehouse? I understand now I can renew my driver's license at the library. What's wrong with a remodel instead of a Taj Mahal?

Larry Sankey

Marion