Critical decisions for Cedar Rapids library

The Cedar Rapids Public Library is facing three critical months.

The library's board of trustees is making plans for a $45 million, 105,000-square-foot new central library to replace the one flooded in June 2008. At the same time, the board is circulating petitions to put a measure on the November ballot that would raise a property tax levy for library operations from 4 cents to 27 cents per $1,000 of valuation.

Library backers argued even before the flood that a higher levy is needed to keep a Westside library branch open and to cover increasing operations costs. A new, larger library would increase that need.

We see merit in both efforts. But those big plans are also spawning big questions.

For starters, it's uncertain where a new library would be located. Board members do not want to return to the pre-flood location, where the Cedar River soaked 160,000 books and other items. Instead, they've set their sights on a broad area on the northeast fringes of downtown, out of the flood plain. Talks are under way that could lead to a partnership that would pair the new library with a new Science Station.

The City Council will have the final say on a location. And there are indications that the city may want to keep the library, which drew 1,200 patrons daily, pre-flood, closer to the downtown core. One area mentioned is near Greene Square Park, which also borders the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art.

Will the location debate be settled before voters head to the polls to render a verdict on the levy? Perhaps. Perhaps not. Voters may also not know how much FEMA will be willing to chip in for a new library. A preliminary estimate of $22 million may grow, say board members. A building plan and other details also won't be nailed down right away.

Although we understand the board's misgivings about potential flooding, we'd encourage them to reconsider other location options that keep the library clearly within the city's core. Moving the library to Eighth Street SE or beyond sends a mixed message at a time when so many community leaders are working hard to keep and attract businesses downtown. And now a conflict-of-interest issue regarding a library board member may adversely affect the message.

We see merit in the Greene Square Park idea, which would put the library in an area of the downtown heart that was not heavily affected by flooding. Other good ideas may be out there.

Regardless of which site is chosen, we urge city leaders to make a final decision before voters are asked to pay higher taxes. Voters deserve as much concrete information as possible. Nagging uncertainty about the library's future could doom the levy to defeat.

And that would be unfortunate. A new, improved library could be a crowning achievement in the city's recovery.