Council workshops move library project ahead

LIBERTY LAKE – Building a new library and community center in Liberty Lake is still in its infancy. But City Council workshop sessions continue to move the project closer to where it can go to an architect for a preliminary design and cost estimate.

The workshops have been the efforts of Mayor Pro-Tem Patrick Jenkins and Councilman Neal Olander, both of whom use similar strategies in their daily work.

Jenkins joked that the process was somewhat similar to first designing a house with “your significant other,” and then, alluding to his fellow council members, “now imagine doing it with someone you don’t love?” The comment elicited a good chuckle.

Councilman David Crump said the need is to design the building “to meet the needs for future as opposed to right now.”

While each council member had items they thought were both personally important and necessary to citizens as a whole, presenting a facility to the community that is affordable was a key concern.

“It’s tricky when we’re the stewards of taxpayer dollars,” said Olander. “There are a lot of things we are lacking (in the city).” He favors building in a “phased approach.”

Joanna Klegin of the council wanted to make sure the building’s shell was at least constructed all at the same time. “You can tell a building that has been added onto,” she said.

Crump also thought building in stages was not a good idea, noting, “Ten years from now that $8 million is not going to get you what it did today.”

Architect Gary Bernardo concurred saying, “building in phases is very expensive.” Bernardo went on to say there are two options. Start with what you can afford or “design what you want and present to see if it will fly.”

In a related matter, the council unanimously voted to reject initial bids on a civic center. The issue will be reconsidered in November.