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 Works facility.

Library staff identified storage as their principal interest. A library speaker, Stacy (last name not specified), said the library has one storage room that also doubles as the tornado shelter and that seasonal and bulky items now stored in poor conditions would be better served off‑site or in the former library. She cautioned that archival materials would require climate‑controlled storage and said that requirement may affect where historical society items could be stored.

City staff summarized the buildings current lease and fiscal position: the property is leased to Redeemer Bible Fellowship under a 12‑month lease that began Oct. 1, 2024, at $5,500 per month; the lease requires at least six months written notice to terminate. Acting city staff said that, as described in the lease, a termination notice would make Sept. 30, 2025 the earliest effective date if the city exercises the clause. Staff also reported a building account balance of $25,850 and monthly utilities of roughly $1,000, noting the account balance also reflects a recent debt payment and a furnace replacement recorded earlier in the year.

Presenters outlined items that would likely require expenditure before broad public use: replacing or repairing a corroded exterior door, addressing elevator condition if basement programming is planned, replacing worn carpet with more durable flooring, adding security cameras, adding or integrating a dehumidification system for archival storage, and basic housekeeping (estimated by staff at roughly $1,000 per month). Staff did not present a firm renovation budget; councilmembers asked staff to pursue contractor quotes and cost estimates with an aim to return updated numbers for council consideration.

Council discussion mixed support for using the city facility for expanded programming and caution about committing money before a broader facilities plan is completed. Alder Tucker Long, who made the motion, said he favored early notice to the tenant in order to be fair and to allow the tenant and the city time to plan. "I think it's only fair if we give as much notice as possible," Tucker Long said. Alder Hoax, who voted against the termination motion, urged caution about "rush[ing] into" a decision before renovation costs and plans are clear: "I don't know why we always try to rush into... let's just vote and then we'll figure out the details," Hoax said.

After debate, the council adopted the motion to notify the tenant that the lease will not be renewed and directed staff to "begin negotiations" with the tenant on the final date; the motion passed 6–1 (Alder Hoax voting no). Staff indicated any renovation work that would require budget appropriation would be considered as part of the 2026 budget process and that a soft opening with limited services could be possible while larger renovations are scheduled.

The council also instructed staff to consult with the tenant about an acceptable move‑out timeline and to return with cost estimates and any negotiated dates for council approval. The council noted it could elect to negotiate an alternate termination date with the tenant if both parties agree.