New Plans For Old Manito Library

Wed., April 10, 1996

Kristina Johnson Staff Writer

Visitors to the old Manito Library may soon be sipping coffee and munching cinnamon rolls.

James Gimurtu, owner of the Birkebeiner Brewing Co., cast the highest bid for the 45-year-old brick building at 404 E. 30th Ave.

Gimurtu said he wants to get city approval for a neighborhood restaurant and bakery, adding that he plans to get community input before doing anything.

Six bidders vied for the library building, with bids ranging from $156,100 to $301,404. Plans for the building included an adult day-care center, a youth center, a brokerage firm and an insurance office.

During discussions about the bids two weeks ago, Real Estate Director Dennis Berringer said the City Council needed to consider whether the project fits the neighborhood.

Since then, the council decided it couldn’t legally select a bid based on the bidder’s future plans.

“Our recommendation was that we sell it to the highest bidder with no conditions,” said Councilman Orville Barnes, a member of the finance committee that studied the bids.

Gimurtu said if the restaurant plan doesn’t work, he’ll find a “suitable tenant” for the building.

, DataTimes

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