Palmer council, fearful of cost, may now want smaller library

Palmer’s city council is leaning toward a scaled-down plan for a new public library. Wolf Architecture, retained by the city to design the library, may be asked to develop design for a building that could cost $10 million, down from a larger building that could cost $18 million.

City Manager John Moosey said the council will make a decision on the matter at its April 24 meeting.

The change would reduce the scope of the building by about 35 percent and would result in fewer parking spaces and less paved access and landscaping, the architectural firm told Moosey in a letter.

The possible reduction in size has already stirred a public reaction, and some strong opinions were voiced at the April 9 meeting of the council.

A city general obligation bond issue for $10 million has been approved by Palmer’s voters. Library supporters feel the remaining $8 million can be raised through grants or donations. Some council members feel uncomfortable in going beyond the funding that is in hand, the $10 million, fearful that the project will run short of money. However, there’s also public support for the larger building developed by Wolf and city officials after public involveemetn process.

“Build as big a library as you can because you’re building for the future,” was one public comment that to the council Tuesday. “The old library building (which experienced a roof collapse from snow load) was always full and it was obviously too small. Don’t repeat the mistake.”

A larger library could also provide a place for people to meet in Palmer.

“There’s no place for meetings now. If you can provide that it would build the community.”

Another speaker said that she enjoyed driving into Palmer to visit the (former) library and that while in the city she always ran errands, shopped and spent money. If Palmer’s new library is inadequate she’ll visit the Wasilla library and also do her shopping there, she said.

A Wasilla resident told the council that her community’s experience in building a new library. Once a fund-raising drive started it took 18 months to raise money needed to complete the building, she said.

“I urge you to build for the future,” growth of Palmer, she said.

The library issue is now entangled, however, with the issue over inappropriate books in local public libraries which is helping fuel support for a smaller library. But other speakers urged the council to separate the question of what is in the library with the design of the building.

“Don’t allow a minority to make decisions for the majority,” one speaker said.

In actions taken by the council April 9, the city manager was authorized to finalize a contract for $2.014 million with H5 Construction to build a new water system booster station on Bogard Road. The project will extend city water service to Colony Middle School and Colony High School, which now depend on wells for water.

The area is outside Palmer’s city limits and funds are being provided by the Matanuska Susitna Borough. Besides serving the schools the new system will make city water available for new residential development in the area.

The council also authorized an expenditure of $139,950 for a new wheeled loader to be purchased from Yukon Equipment, Inc. The machine will have several uses in improving maintenance of local public facilities.

In his general comments to the council, city manager Moosey said Rodeo Alaska will be returning to the Palmer fair grounds for a third annual bull riding event, this year on May 27. Also, plans are well along for Palmer’s annual Great Alaska Gathering, to be held at the fair grounds and at the Palmer airport. It is the third year of the event, which last year attracted 20,000 people to Palmer. This year there will be live entertainment as well as aircraft demonstrations.