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Council approves library board's final plans; staff to seek bids with May 2027 grand opening target
Summary
Council approved final plans for a library expansion featuring flexible meeting and study spaces; staff will present bids after planning-and-zoning review, with construction estimated at 10 months and a planned grand opening in May 2027.
The Stewartville City Council approved the library board's recommended final plans for a library expansion and renovation and directed staff to move forward with bidding and planning steps.
Library staff described a project that will add meeting rooms, quiet study space, expanded collection areas, spaces for art and history displays, and flexible programming space. Library director Nate said the project is designed to adapt to changing library uses and programming needs and called it "a project that has a lot of features... that I think will be of enormous benefit to the community of Stewartville." (Transcript spelling corrected to official locality name.)
Officials outlined next steps: staff will present the site plan to planning and zoning at its March meeting, solicit bids for construction subpackages, and return to council for final approval of bids. The construction schedule discussed in the meeting estimated about 10 months of new construction plus 2–3 months renovating the existing building; staff cited a planned grand opening in May 2027.
Council discussed interior features including a small kitchenette (described as a "bare bones" feature suitable for light catering or refreshments) and whether the library must close for brief periods during connections and construction. Library staff said there might be "a few days" of closure during work that connects systems but planned to minimize service interruptions.
The council moved and the motion to approve the library board's plans carried on a voice vote.
