Sandpoint To Build New Library Decision Ends Years Of Debate Over Whether To Build Or Remodel

After years of bickering over whether to build or remodel, it appears Bonner County will finally get a new public library.

Library board members have agreed to buy nearly two acres of land at Division and Cedar streets. A financial package also is in the works to build a 31,900 square foot library at the site, hopefully by next year.

“It looks like it’s finally going to happen and I’m excited about it,” said board chairman Ted Bowers. “We fussed around for years wanting everyone (on the board) to want the same thing. But when we realized that wasn’t going to happen we charged on and got off the dime.”

Two of the five board members wanted to remodel the 67-year-old library building and remain downtown. In fact, that was the decision the board made two years ago. But now a majority of members say the old two-story building is too cramped and will be too costly to remodel.

The building’s electrical system and heating is outdated, the roof leaks, a condemned room in the basement contains asbestos and there is not enough room outside for parking.

“There are still people who feel we should remain at the current facility and build branches, but that wouldn’t satisfy the need for a strong central facility,” said East Bonner County Library Director James Murray.

The board hopes to finalize a land purchase agreement with the city this month. Mayor Ron Chaney said the city gave the library a “special price” on the land for $125,000.

The only hang-up in the agreement, he said, is the cost of water and sewer hookups at the new site, which is just blocks from Sandpoint’s high school and middle school.

Library officials have already selected an architect and have preliminary plans for the new building. It would have almost four times the amount of usable space as the old building, plenty of parking and a small park and playground outside.

“It’s a great location and we are looking at a building that will last us at least another 50 years,” Bowers said.

The project will cost between $2 million and $3 million, but the board doesn’t plan to ask taxpayers for a bond or levy. Private donations of $250,000 are already set aside. The board hopes to borrow the rest from the Panhandle Area Council and make yearly payments.

“We want to build it in the most cost efficient manner we can,” said Murray. “If we can’t do it all at once, we would build it in increments, like modular construction so it can easily be added to.”

The old library will be put up for public auction. That’s the way public buildings must be sold. Bowers said some of the money from the sale would go toward construction and some to expand outlying services.

The old library has been appraised at $472,000, but Murray expects to get more than that.

“It’s an attractive building and location,” he said. Plus with Coldwater Creek, a major mail order catalog company opening a retail outlet downtown, Murray said downtown retail space will be at a premium.

Mayor Chaney, who will auction off City Hall next month before moving the city to new quarters away from the downtown, agrees.

“At one time I was opposed to the city and library moving out of the downtown core,” he said. “But things have changed. Downtown is now a tourist attraction and needs space for retail outlets and stores.”

Chaney said he’s been contacted by two national retail corporations interested in moving downtown. They will need some large space that City Hall and the library building could provide, he said.

The library board hopes to break ground at its new site in the spring of 1996 and move into the building by fall.

“It’s all contingent on getting a financial package in place,” Murray said. “But I feel like we’ve gotten over a big hump already and this (new building) is going to happen.”