Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Libraries Senior Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners recommend studying co-location of Leonardtown library and Garvey senior center; ask for design options
Summary
After reviewing large proposed square footage for a new Leonardtown Library, commissioners asked staff and the library board to study smaller alternatives and co-location with the Garvey Senior Center, and asked for a short schedule to return with programmatic options and site considerations.
Commissioners reviewed the Leonardtown Library proposal at Feb. 23 and questioned a proposed building of roughly 44,000 square feet, saying it appears substantially larger than other county library projects such as Lexington Park (about 26,000 square feet). Several commissioners asked staff and the library board to pursue a smaller footprint — an initial alternative of about 37,650 square feet was mentioned — and to study co-location opportunities with the Garvey Senior Center to realize efficiencies in program space, meeting rooms and parking.
County staff said an iterative programming process is under way; the library board planned to discuss alternatives and staff expected to return with a refined proposal. Commissioners asked that whatever option is advanced preserve the county’s ability to expand in the future if demand grows and that locations under active consideration be evaluated with a view to co-locating Garvey functions where practical.
On the Garvey Center, commissioners also directed staff to explore options that could include redevelopment or a public-private partnership; members of the public and Cedar Lane stakeholders had proposed an alternate site and possible grant matches. Commissioners asked both the library and Garvey Center teams to return with refined program and site options in the coming weeks (commissioners discussed a 60-day horizon for work and follow-up).
Ending: Staff will develop size/space alternatives for Leonardtown Library and options for Garvey Center co-location and return to commissioners for direction prior to finalizing FY2016 CIP submissions.
