Tuesday, June 24, 1997
Council to consider Library Review Panel's
recommendation Thursday
By ANTHONY WILSON Staff Writer
Assuming the Abilene City Council calls a fall bond election
to build a library, its members must also consider whether voters
might support improvements to streets, drainage, parks and city
facilities.
On Thursday, the council receives a recommendation from the
Citizens Library Review Panel to build a 75,000-square-foot, "state-of-the-art"
central library at North 6th and Cypress. The project will necessitate
a bond issue of approximately $10 million.
City Manager Roy McDaniel on Monday predicted an election on
the issue between mid-September and early October. In the meantime,
he said council and staff will weigh adding more projects to the
ballot.
During a March debate on capital improvements, city administrators
identified $23.6 million in potential bond issues. They ranged
from $6.8 million for a Civic Center expansion to $125,000 for
better drainage along Danville.
The wish list also includes a new senior citizens center at
Rose Park, a gymnasium at G.V. Daniels Recreation Center, reconstruction
of North 1st, modern traffic signals and two more southside parks.
"We need to assess the needs," Councilman Don Drennan
said. "If there are things we need to do with lasting, long-term
effects, I'd be willing to let the voters decide whether they
want to raise the tax rate to pay for them. I think it's a good
idea to let the voters choose."
Drennan conceded, however, loading the ballot with multiple
issues could create a drag on the library.
"Unless there's an urgent need, I'd rather the library
stand alone," Councilwoman Kay Alexander said. "We need
to focus on the library and get people educated about that so
they can make an informed decision and hopefully get it passed."
McDaniel noted multiple bond issues can complement one another
or can create a fallout for the chief need.
"That's a decision the council is going to have to wrestle
with," he said. "We'll have to ask the council to look
into its crystal ball and forecast what approach has the best
chance for getting the issues passed. You have to read the minds
of the voters."
Panel chairman Ed Patton offered no opinion on the question.
"I think the library will have its own focus," he
said. "Other issues will have to stand on their own. But
I have noticed that seldom are all the choices (in a bond election)
voted 'yes.' "
McDaniel noted bond issues were relatively easy to pass during
the oil boom in the early 1980s. When the oil market collapsed,
voters grew more resistant to raising their taxes, he said.
But with the economy growing and voters approving an $8 million
bond last year to improve the Taylor County Expo Center, city
officials sense taxpayers may be warming to a new library.
"People aren't taking a lot of pride in the way our library
looks," Alexander said. "It's an embarrassment our library
is not the best we can do. Hopefully, that need will tip the scale.
It's time to do it."
Also Thursday, the council will consider a five-year lease
for a storefront branch library, another of the panel's recommendations.
The agreement calls for the city to pay $38,304 annually for
5,600 square feet at 1401 S. Danville, formerly the home of a
Hastings bookstore.
The library, which will primarily serve children, is expected
to open Oct. 1. It's meant to increase usage and accessibility
of the library system and, if successful, could launch a 20,000-square-foot
permanent branch.
"I'd be surprised if it's anything but a big success,"
Patton said.
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Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications
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