Library levy committee releases draft concept

NORWALK — A draft concept for an addition to Norwalk Public Library shows how a new structure would "open up" the second block of West Main Street and provide more green space. To answer many "what would it look like?" questions from the community, the library's levy committee has released a sketch for the proposed addition to the city's Carnegie Library. A bond issue to pay for new construction on the site of the former Hill's Interiors building will appear on the November ballot for voters who live within the Norwalk City Schools district. The library's board of trustees purchased the now-vacant building at 38 West Main Street in 2003, with the vision of expanding both the library's home and services to the community. If approved, levy funding will pay for renovations to bring the original building into compliance with disability access laws. The project will seamlessly join the Carnegie structure with a new two-floor addition that would require demolishing the Hill's building. The design sketch was provided without cost by Bostwick Design Partnership, a Cleveland architectural group that has renovated or built 260 libraries in 19 states. "This drawing really shows how much more 'open' West Main Street would be with the dual fronts of the buildings — the Carnegie and a new structure — being at the same elevation on the street," levy committee chairman Patrick Spettel said. "A building next door to the library that doesn't extend out to the sidewalk will really open up the view, whether you are walking or driving west on Main Street. Pulling back the proposed addition's front wall would provide a bigger front lawn for additional green space that everyone can appreciate," he added. The levy committee emphasized that nothing about this initial sketch is fixed, already in progress or settled in any way, Spettel said. Throughout the campaign so far, the "what will it look like?" questions have been the top feedback from town hall meetings and presentations among community organizations, he noted. "That's what we've heard, over and over — and it's a great question," Spettel said. "Our 1905 Carnegie Library is a beautiful piece of architecture, and I think the community is right to be both interested and concerned about the design for what we want to build." Spettel, a local realtor, said he's often heard that local people "really like" that the city's Main Street has a variety of architectural styles. "And we want to add to that in the best way possible with a design that enhances what we have now with our iconic Carnegie building, while providing an addition to it that will take Norwalk Public Library into its next 100 years," Spettel said. "Our goal is to be both architecturally pleasing while offering the best multi-purpose flexibility we can for the community for decades to come. We want to be that uptown community hub serving everyone that Norwalk deserves," he added. Renovating the next-door empty storefront to make it "join" the current library is impractical, with the cost roughly similar to demolition and new construction, according to rough estimates. Upgrading outdated HVAC and electrical systems and asbestos abatement for the 70-year-old former retail space will be prohibitively expensive, and the current structure offers only one floor of additional space. The bond issue on the Nov. 4 ballot would provide $14 million for all the costs of demolition, project design fees and new construction. According to the Huron County Auditor's Office, the bond levy will cost $5 per month (or $60 annually) on $100,000 of assessed property value. The 30-year levy will generate $25 million from properties in Norwalk City Schools district because the library is a school-district library rather than a community library. The extra $11 million is restricted to paying interest on the $14 million the library will use for the project and is not available for further spending. For more information, contact Patrick Spettel: 419-677-9060, pspettel@gmail.com