It looks like Market Square will be the location of Meaford’s new public library.
The Committee of the Whole recommended last night that council approve the downtown spot as the project site.
Planner Liz Buckton says they examined four potential sites – Market Square, McCaroll Park, Meaford Harbour, and land beside the arena.
Buckton says Market Square came out on top as the preferred location because of many factors.
She says it is on a major thoroughfare and is centrally located, allowing for easy access.
Staff also believe it would intensify use of what is currently under-utilized space in the downtown core, while furthering the idea of a ‘civic square’.
Buckton also admits there are some potential problems presented by the site.
She says council, the Library Board, and residents have all noted that parking will be an issue, with only 27 spaces alloted for in the conceptual design.
Buckton says they are considering off-site parking like that which is used for the current library.
She also says they could design the new facility to include underground parking.
Buckton says another issue is the pre-exisiting Midas Mart on Market Square.
She says they would have to work with the Kiwanis Club to move them to another location.
Buckton says they are planning to build a 2-storey, 12-thousand square foot library that will complement Meaford Hall.
A public meeting will be held to gather input on the design and site planning, but a date has yet to be announced.
Staff also floated the idea of moving their administrative offices onto the second floor of the library – currently, staff and council are located in different buildings and this could be an opportunity to consolidate.
However, councillors decided moving forward with that could undermine the success of the library funding application.
Buckton says while libraries are definitely eligible for grants from the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, it is unclear if municipal offices would be.
The funding application deadline is August 18th.
The estimated cost of the new library is 3.5 million dollars.