Planning commission recommends Education Square as site for new central library

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commission voted 7-0 June 25 to approve a comprehensive plan conformance amendment that identifies the Education Square (the Centrum building) at 11110 Street as the proposed site for a new central library and revises the project’s funding and schedule. The motion to approve (special designation: comprehensive plan conformance 25005) passed unanimously after public testimony in support.

The amendment updates the 2050 Lincoln-Lancaster County comprehensive plan’s capital improvement program entry for the downtown central library. Andrew Theroff, planning staff, said, “The previous ... shows 70,000,000 primarily funded by general obligation bonds. With this amendment, the total project cost would be $46,200,000, funded with a mix of municipal improvement bonds, general revenues, and private contributions.”

The action matters because it pins a specific downtown location and a new funding approach to a project that has been in the city’s CIP for years. Ryan Weber, director of Lincoln City Libraries, told commissioners the city identified Education Square (also called the Centrum building) after exploring multiple earlier options — including the Pershing site and renovation of the current Bennett Martin branch. Weber said the library program is based on roughly 65,000 square feet with an additional approximately 4,000-square-foot rooftop auditorium.

Weber described the building as well-maintained and noted an attached city parking garage with about 57 stalls that will serve patrons. He outlined a project timetable that anticipates city council action in July to ratify a purchase agreement and to authorize municipal improvement bonds, internal demolition beginning in spring, about two and a half years of construction, and an opening in spring 2028.

Supporters who testified at the hearing called the site a cost-effective, quicker alternative to ground-up construction. Carl Eskridge, speaking in support and describing his experience as a former city council member, said converting the Centrum “is sustainable. It’s less costly. It’s quicker to build.” Dan Sloan, who identified himself as a member of the library board and a downtown business owner, said the library board had unanimously approved the project and expected it to drive additional downtown activity. Leslie Huerta, a nearby bookstore owner, said the new facility would increase foot traffic and support local businesses.

Planning staff noted one wording change in the CIP language to use the local term “municipal improvement bonds.” Theroff also explained that the CIP previously showed a larger cost estimate and a different funding mix; the amendment both identifies the site and updates the budget figures and sources.

After discussion, the commission voted 7-0 to recommend the amendment to the city council. The commission’s vote is a final action for this item and may be appealed to the city council or county board per the published procedures.

City council action is scheduled for July 28 to address issuance of municipal improvement bonds and to ratify the purchase agreement; design and financing details will be finalized during that process.