Library floor plan revised as Lowell council urged to sell property to help finance project

By DEAN REA/Correspondent/The Herald—The Lowell City Council made minor changes in the floor plan for remodeling the Maggie Osgood building at 70 N. Pioneer St. to house the City Hall and the library and turned the spotlight on selling a number of city properties to help finance the project Tuesday night.

Construction is expected to begin in March on the $400,000 project, Eugene architect Curt Wilson reported in a Zoom conference. However, his primary purpose was to describe what he considered to be advantages in accepting a floor plan much like that approved Oct. 5 by the council.

The conference room would be more easily accessed from the library as well as from the City Hall, and the library could be more easily expanded in the future by removal of non-structural walls. “Kids’ space” also would be expanded.

Councilor Maureen Weathers was adamant that the city make a concerted effort to promote and to sell several properties to limit the size of a loan needed for the balance of the cost.

Meanwhile, the city is completing negotiations on the sale of property on East Main Street to Lowell Investment Properties, and several other residential properties are being readied for sale, including the site of the present City Hall and former library on North Pioneer Street.

Mayor Don Bennett and councilors Tim Stratis and Weathers supported the revised floor plan. Councilors Gail Harris and John Myers were absent.

The council accepted the Lowell School District’s application for a conditional-use permit for a 13-space parking lot at 13 S. Moss St., which also will be used as a community parking lot when not in use by the school. The planning commission granted a conditional-use permit to build the lot last September with the understanding that the lot could be used during community events.

Nov. 6 has been set for the burning of a city-owned residential structure on East Main Street. Firefighters will conduct the “burn” during a training exercise.

Holiday decorations purchased by the city have arrived and are being readied for installation.

Movie nights in November and December are being considered. A $1,000 contribution has made a series of shows available this year, and the council learned that $600 of that gift is unspent.