Partner groups bring library branch downtown

Elyria City Council voted Oct. 22 during a special meeting to approve a partnership between the city of Elyria, the Elyria Public Library System and the Community Improvement Corporation, which are working to bring the library’s Central Branch to downtown.

The motion to approve the partnership was discussed during the Oct. 15 meeting, but was tabled a week due to two absentee Council members and Ward 5 Councilman Marcus Madison voting against the legislation.

Madison again voted no Oct. 22 because of concerns on the new location’s historic value. Ward 1 Councilman Larry Tanner was absent.

However, with majority of Council’s approval, the partnership can begin working on the new branch at the corner of East Broad Street and East Avenue.

Lyn Crouse, director of the library system, said the opportunity to have a new location is needed because the central branch, 320 Washington Ave. in Elyria, having asbestos issues.

Crouse said with the help of the bond issue passed by voters in 2017, the more feasible option was to create a new location rather than renovate.

The downtown location is great and accessible to the city’s east side and has connections with the main roads in the area, she said.

“We really like the idea of a downtown spot,” Crouse said. “My mantra is always: the library is the civic, social, cultural and educational center of the community, so what better place to be there than downtown where the culture is becoming the cultural district.”

This new location will cover 1.25 acres and provide more parking with the help of additional parking near Pioneer Plaza, Mayor Holly Brinda said.

The total cost for the 12 parcels is estimated at $927,620, Brinda said.

The Library System will contribute $600,000 to the purchase and the improvement corporation is paying $327,620, plus closing costs that are between $30,000 and $50,000.

Progressive Insurance and other small businesses currently occupy the land.

Brinda said those property owners support the new use and will look for other locations.

She also said she is excited about the partnership and it will be a great opportunity for the city and library.

“We were very happy to work with the library system to identify a site that really leveraged the most benefit to the community,” the mayor said. “We looked at a lot sites and looked at national research and looked at the impacts of different locations.

“It was very clear that placing the library in our downtown would have a number of different advantages to the community. In other communities where libraries have been placed, we find they’re great incubators to address the community needs,” she said.

“We know they serve as an anchor to housing development, workforce development, business development and expand public infrastructure and investments. So, it’s clearly a catalyst for further development for downtown.”

Brinda said she understands the concerns about the history of the area, but the benefits outweigh the costs and will be a very good improvement.

She said the area also is not part of a historic district registry, so the groups are not crossing any lines with production.

Crouse said there is no set design for the new location, but the Library System will have more ideas once it is locked in with its process.

However, the architects of the new building will work accordingly to the Plaza’s current mural done by the Elyria Arts Council, Brinda and Crouse said.

Brinda said it will have to be taken down but will be willingly replaced and repainted by the Arts Council.

The new location will change the dynamics of the area with the Pioneer Plaza and the Arts Council, Brinda said.

With $38 million invested in the downtown area, the library will not only create opportunities for further development, but is a chance for the library to create programming in the area, Brinda and Crouse said.

“It seemed like the perfect marriage,” Brinda said.

The process will take place along with other renovations or construction of the South Branch, Keystone-Lagrange Branch, West River Branch and provide a warehouse for its bookmobile.

Crouse and Brinda said demolition could take place in January with a building complete by spring.

BRIANA CONTRERAS — THE MORNING JOURNAL From left, Elyria Public Library System’s Board member Melissa Clifford, Board President Gerald Crum, Director Lyn Crouse, Mayor Holly Brinda and Board Member Kaleena Whitfield pose for a photo Oct. 22 after Elyria City Council approves the partnership between the city, Community Improvement Corporation and the Elyria Public Library System for a new central branch located in downtown Elyria.