Verona council notifies tenant of lease termination for former library as city weighs community‑center use

The Verona Common Council voted 6–1 on Jan. 27 to notify the tenant of 130 Franklin Street, the city‑owned former library, that the city will not renew the current lease and directed staff to open negotiations on the tenants final date in the building.

The move starts a process to explore using the building for a municipal community center: presenters from the Verona Recreation Department, Verona Public Library and Verona Senior Center told the council the space could be used for expanded recreation programming, library storage and larger senior‑center classes if the city reclaims the facility.

Casey Dudley, who identified himself as the Verona recreation director, told the council the recreation department has never had a permanent space for programs and described potential new offerings including preschool classes, after‑school care, adult fitness and rentable event space. "We could significantly expand programming," Dudley said. He added the building could also relieve cramped office and storage conditions at the citys Parks/Public…