Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Council Consults Architect
PROGRESS ON NEW PUBLIC LIBRARY PLANNING DISCUSSED
LINCOLN — Bret Park, architect with ParkCo of Fayetteville, met with the Lincoln City Council on March 12 to discuss the new public library.
“I want to congratulate Lincoln on passing the sales tax one year ago to build a new library,” Park said.
Park went over the work that had been done such as asbestos testing on the three buildings that were on the downtown square where the library will be built.
The three were the original library, which had the Amerigas building on its left and Hatchett Auto Supply on its right. The city purchased Hatchett Auto Supply and then Amerigas in order to add square feet to the new library.
Parks said after asbestos testing and further considerations, it was deemed to be in the city’s “best interest” to tear all three buildings down rather than try to renovate them.
“There are multiple contingencies on this kind of project,” Park told the aldermen, including the late purchase of the Amerigas facility in November and a final survey to include that building.
Park said most of the plumbing and electric had been drawn into the plans in January and a larger Information Technology room had been expanded in the plans in February.
“We’re shooting right now for advertising for bidding the first of April,” Park said.
Lincoln Mayor Rob Hulse asked Park how soon after advertising would there be a bid opening.
Park said about two weeks after advertising. “Probably the third week in April.”
“The plans have always been to have the library open in September,” Hulse said.
“We’ve pushed as hard as we can since December,” Park said. “All in all, we’ve made good time.”
Hulse asked if the project wasn’t three to four weeks behind schedule.
Parks agreed citing the various issues that had set plans behind, such as the purchase of the Amerigas building that had to be added to the original plans and structural engineers work on the older buildings. However, he praised the demolition process of the buildings.
“I was impressed with the demolition,” he said.
Alderman Doug Hutchens asked about the soil testing that had to be done on the site.
“It’s been done and you have great soil,” Park said.
“We discussed that we have one time to get it right, but we do need to move on,” Hulse said.
Park said the exterior work would be done by September.
“We do have one shot to get it right,” Hutchens said. “It’s going to be awesome.”
Aldermen voted 7- 0 to approve an ordinance for the rezoning or property currently owned by Four Square Properties, LLC, modification of the zoning map and amendment of the zoning ordinance. The property was changed from A1, agriculture to M2, light industrial.
The ordinance was approved after a move to read the title only on the first reading. A suspension of the rules for a second and third reading was approved by aldermen. All were present except for Alderman Doyle Dixon.
The official zoning map and amended official ordinance will become effective in 30 days.
The council also voted 7-0 to approve an interlocal cooperation agreement for hazardous materials incident response services in Washington County.
The Hazardous Materials Response System will be financed by a per capita fee of 38- cents based on the 2010 census and will be paid by Washington County and member cities based on their populations, except for Fayetteville and Springdale.
Hutchens gave the February sales and use tax distribution figures: $ 16,887.07, bringing the capital improvements account to $408,786. Sales and use tax for the library totaled 80 percent of the sales tax for the library $4,409.49, with an additional 20 percent going to parks and recreation for a total of $1,102.37.
Sammie Hannah, a Lincoln High School student and Washington County Shooting Club member, was recognized by the mayor and council for winning the state shooting contest and will be traveling to Colorado springs, Colo., for the national shooting competition.
Hannah has been a straight A student, according to Hulse. She has played on the Lady Wolves basketball team, is a FFA member and belongs to several other student organizations.
“She set a new state record,” Hulse said. “This is an amazing opportunity for her. She will not only be representing the state but representing Lincoln. We wish her luck in Colorado.”