Lowell council seeks citizen input on selection of library/city hall design in survey, meeting

By DEAN REA/Correspondent/The Herald — Utility customers are being invited to participate in a survey to help the Lowell City Council determine whether to authorize a “make-do” model or a more expensive proposal to meet future library and City Hall needs.

A four-page explanation of the two design choices being considered by the council were mailed Monday to 490 utility customers, reports city administrator Jeremy Caudle.

The customers are invited to choose one of the options or to suggest a different model for revamping the former church now bearing the Maggie Oswald sign at 70 N. Pioneer St. They also were invited to join other residents during a town hall meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 27, at the library.

Council members have relied extensively on citizen input during a series of public meetings beginning with the choice of the Wilson Architecture of Eugene in evaluating the long-term needs for a library, which was housed at the City Hall until forced to close because of the building’s condition.

The city plans to sell vacant real estate valued at approximately $500,000, including land where the present City Hall is located, to help finance the project. The city also is seeking grant funding.

The minimal $393,417 proposal would cost a utility customer an estimated $2.56 a month to pay off the loan.

Several shortcomings are noted in the bare-bones project description, including the eventual need to build a City Hall and to enlarge the library.

Increasing the 2,880-square-foot building to 3,775 square feet and making other major improvements would cost an estimated $1.8 million and would increase the monthly fee for a utility customer $12.06 to service the loan, which would run longer than with the minimal proposal.

Other benefits cited in the survey flyer include: The kids’ area would be expanded. More computer stations and space for reading would be provided, the meeting room would be large enough for most City Council meetings and the city would not need to build a City Hall.