The Love Vote

To reach a decision on a new library site, the Cedar Rapids Public Library board took the “Love Vote.”

“You're dating two proposals you want to marry,” said Library Director Bob Pasicznyuk as the board prepared Thursday to give its heart to either the Emerald Knights block or The Gazette/ KCRG-TV9 property.

I figured they'd fall for Emerald Knights, opting to build the city's shiny new literary citadel on a high-and-dry hill.

The Gazette stumbled near the finish line, when it turned out that our parking garage was less a fixer-upper and more a tear-it-downer.

I even figured we might rekindle true love for True North, the scenic and sentimental favorite of civic romantics. But then FEMA's Todd Dolphin, no relation to Gary, gave play-by-play on how his agency is not a big fan of relocating a flooded facility to another spot that flooded. True North dipped its tootsies in the swollen Cedar, so thanks for playing.

But as the board edged toward a pick, sort of like “The Bachelor,” I realized The Gazette still made hearts flutter. But would it win the rose?

According to its suitors, getting hitched at Fifth Street and Third Avenue SE could mean quiet walks in neighboring Greene Square Park and festive trips to the farmers market. It's closer to our city's heart. And it practically spoons with the art museum, site of the old Carnegie library.

Doug Elliot, whose ticker once beat for True North, picked The Gazette site for its “aesthetics.” Hilery Livengood was among those who pined for surface parking instead of a creepy garage.Matthew Wilding was a Gaz. plan fan.

Down 3-0, Emerald Knights rallied. Harriet Kalinsky cast a vote for Joe the Reader. “I'm not sure the average Joe in Cedar Rapids needs to have the library on Greene Square,” she said. Paul Pelletier and Susan McDermott joined her.

But Phyllis Fleming and President Susan Corrigan turned the tide.“I just think about taking my three kids to the library,” Corrigan said before casting a deciding Gazette vote. Good with kids. That sealed it, 5-3.

Sigh. So after giving this real estate two of the best years of my life, now it wants to see other people. Figures. But will the City Council use its powers to pronounce us site and library? That's far from certain.

The council members I reached Friday have questions but no strong objections, yet. “I'm going to listen to what the library board has to say,” said Mayor Ron Corbett, who knows the secret to a good relationship is communication.

The council vote is in a couple of weeks, so it needs to speak soon or forever hold its peace.

» Comments: (319) 398-8452; todd.dorman@gazcomm.com