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For those of you following the story line, at last night’s City Council meeting Laura Klinger of Hacker Architects presented their analysis and site comparison of the four potential sites for the needed new Library and 911 Communications Center. The full analysis report shared during the meeting included comparison with the previously identified John Topits Park site and three additional sites:
- The current downtown location
- Ocean Boulevard site adjacent to Cascade Farm and Outdoor
- The vacant property at the corner of Newmark Avenue and LaClair Street
Cost estimates, as well as pros and cons for each site, are included within this full-scope report. I am thankful for the members of our community who attended the meeting and provided feedback on the analysis and their preferred location. As we continue to look at options, this community feedback is invaluable to this selection process.
Following the Hacker Architects’ presentation, Adam Probolsky of Probolsky Research, spoke to the Council regarding survey work his firm has completed on similar projects. Probolsky’s firm has a background in working with local government, performing research, surveys, and information campaigns, all aimed towards gleaning community sentiment that clearly indicates pathways to support. With the previous ballot measure failure in May 2022, we have heard the community indicate that potentially the park location was a concern, as well as the cost, and the potential of moving the library out of the downtown core.
We also heard library statistics for February, once again proving the Library to be a necessary and well-used community facility:
- 6,269 visits
- 17,171 items checked out
- 121 new library cards issued
- 881 attended one of the 37 library programs
Our Library is a hub of activity, helping to stitch our closely-knit community together. It’s important that we come together to find a solution for our Library to remain the community hub for generations to come.
-Joe Benetti, Mayor of Coos Bay
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