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Haslet staff outline proposed library expansion, repurposing and proposed nonresident card fee
Summary
City staff presented a proposal to study an 8,000‑square‑foot replacement library (existing building 3,569 sq ft), consider repurposing the current library for office space, and implement a $25 annual fee for nonresident library cards; staff will hire a library consultant for sizing and programming.
City staff and a city official on Jan. 28 presented a library plan discussion that asked the Planning and Zoning Commission to consider a new library building and reuse options for the existing facility.
Staff said the city’s existing library is 3,569 gross square feet and the proposed replacement concept is about 8,000 square feet. Preliminary construction‑cost examples given were roughly $400 to $500 per square foot, which would translate to an estimated $3.2 million to $4.0 million construction cost for an 8,000‑square‑foot building; staff noted those are planning‑level estimates. The city said it will budget to hire a consultant who specializes in library planning to produce a needs analysis tied to projected population build‑out (staff cited a target population build‑out of about 95,100 in the analysis example).
Staff also described a potential repurposing of the existing library building to provide administrative office space or chamber space; staff gave a rough remodel estimate of roughly $150 per square foot and an example remodel cost of about $540,000 for the existing building if repurposed.
On revenue, the library board approved a $25 annual nonresident card fee; staff said there are roughly 75–100 active nonresident cards and that if all nonresidents signed up the fee could generate as much as $150,000 a year (staff noted that card purchases are voluntary and revenues are not guaranteed). Staff emphasized the focus of any expansion should be on serving Haslet residents and taxpayers.
Commissioners also discussed whether a multi‑use municipal building (combining library and city offices) had been considered. Staff said the idea merits study but cautioned about operational and security differences between library and municipal uses and said no formal study had yet been done. Staff asked commissioners to bring ideas and considered hiring a consultant to analyze library size and program needs.
No final decision was made; staff will proceed with the consultant selection and return recommendations.
