Community members provide input about design concepts for new Palmer Public Library

PALMER — Members of the public had the opportunity to provide input in concept designs for the new Palmer Public Library during an open house held at the Palmer Train Depot Wednesday, Nov. 15.

The Palmer Library was shut down after a partial roof collapse occurred in February, and a temporary library was opened off Arctic Avenue shortly afterwards.

Representatives from the City of Palmer and Wolf Architecture held this event to help answer questions, provide information on the new library construction project, and gather data from the public to influence how the new facility will ultimately look.

Wolf Architecture is the designated contractor for the reconstruction project, working directly with city officials and a special committee tasked with making the final decisions on the design and location of the new library.

"We're excited about the project. It's a super fun project. There's a lot of good ideas flowing," Wolf Architecture owner Gary Wolf said.

Wolf said if the project comes in within the budget, the bid could go out by the summer of 2024. He said it will probably take 15 to 16 months for the reconstruction project to complete.

According to Wolf, they had a good amount of public participation during the open house and they had a lot of helpful feedback.

"We got a lot of good input," Wolf said.

There were a total of five different design concepts on display during the open house, including one design that would add onto the existing structure.

Wolf said this was the last chance for public input for the new library design. He said they take all the information they've gathered and work out the details with the library committee to determine where to go from here. He said the design is due by early January and they will give a presentation to the Palmer City Council. He said that community input is a crucial part of the reconstruction process.

"I think it's super valuable," Wolf said. "I think they appreciate it and we appreciate it. It's hard to design in a vacuum.

Palmer resident LeAnn Smith attended the open house to provide input. She said that she's lived in the community since 1981 and she remembers when the library was just a room in City Hall and she remembers when it moved to its familiar location off South Valley Way.

"My kids grew up using the facility. I was really nice for us," Smith said.

Smith said that she's been to libraries across the country and they're one of the first places she goes when visiting a new place. She said that libraries serve a vital purpose in their respective communities.

"I think it's critical. Actually, it is kind of a foundation of our nation," Smith said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com