Library director says county grant clears path for expanded meeting space; next steps require architect cost and follow-on funding

Eustis Library Director said Jan. 13 that the library won a county impact-fee grant that will fund conceptual designs and enable the city to apply for larger follow-on grants that could fund construction of expanded meeting-room space.

Library staff said the city received a county award for $30,000 toward a $60,000 conceptual-phase package; completion of the conceptual package will make the project eligible for two subsequent grant opportunities administered by the county, with potential awards up to $1 million. The director described the concept as doubling the current meeting-room footprint by extending into the southern parking area and said she has met with the library architect and public works to develop a schematic.

Staff said the grant program is administered by the county and that the city must complete design milestones and compliance reporting to remain eligible for follow-on awards. Library staff asked the commission to support next-step design work; they said the conceptual work is already in motion with an architect and that the city will need to budget or match cost-share amounts for further phases.

Commissioners asked for a timeline and cost estimate for conceptual design and for a briefing on the subsequent grant milestones and reporting requirements. Staff said they will return with a project timeline, design-cost estimate and a grant-application schedule.