We now have a very good idea what the new San Carlos branch library will look like.<\/p>\n
We also have a much more uncertain view of when it might look like that.<\/p>\n
Architect David Pfeifer showed the drawings and schematics of the long-awaited facility to the Navajo Community Planners at the group\u2019s Jan. 11 meeting, and it revealed a 25,000-square-foot library and community center that has been the dream of library supporters since at least 1995, and probably much earlier.<\/p>\n
The basic function of a library is, of course, making books available for the public, and the proposed library will house 72,000 volumes in its shelves.<\/p>\n
The library, when built, will offer greatly expanded children\u2019s and adult\u2019s sections, computer areas with Wi-Fi availability, and plenty of meeting spaces for the many community groups that need meeting space.<\/p>\n
There will also be much more parking than is currently available.<\/p>\n
In other words, lots of good stuff that every library ought to offer.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been working on this for a few days \u2014 about 40 years\u2019 worth of days,\u201d said former City Councilmember Judy McCarty. \u201cI\u2019m so happy to see this.\u201d<\/p>\n That\u2019s the good news.<\/p>\n The less-than-good news is no one knows when this all might change from beautiful drawings on a website to shovels turning over dirt.<\/p>\n There are a couple of reasons for that.<\/p>\n One is that the portion of land to be used at Jackson and Golfcrest Drives used to be a gas station, and still might have soil pollution problems that need to be cleaned up before that land can be used for any purpose, other than the makeshift parking lot it now is.<\/p>\n Atlantic Richfield is working to drill another test well on the property. That should answer the questions about pollution, once the county health people and the Environmental Protection Agency give approval.<\/p>\n The money is in the bank to buy that land once all that is done \u2014 about $2 million.<\/p>\n Judy Williams from Friends of the San Carlos Library is one of the supporters who have been, and will continue to be, active in fundraising efforts.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve been working all along, knowing this day would come, but we do have a long way to go,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Ellos si.<\/p>\n As presented to the NCPI board, the current estimated cost of the new library is just north of $20 million.<\/p>\n That cost could rise, as construction costs always seem to.<\/p>\n City approvals should present no real problems, as several city councils over the years have said they understand the need for the new San Carlos facility.<\/p>\n The process is underway, finally.<\/p>\n We\u2019ll see how fast it can move from here on out.<\/p>\n![\"One](\"https:\/\/missiontimescourier.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/web-Front-view.jpg\")
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