A decision by the Shawano County Board to not purchase an apartment complex adjacent to the Shawano Public Library has sent planners back to the drawing board, but not exactly to square one.
Kurt Berner, of the Samuels Group, said planners will take the decision in stride and continue to work on plans for a new library, most likely in the parking lot space of the existing building at 128 S. Sawyer St.
“Based on the conversations that I heard at the county board (in September), I recommended that Venture’s design team meet with them (the library board) to evaluate the program,” Berner said. “What that means is the spaces within the library, because if we’re talking about changing that scope, there may be need to be a reduction in that program.”
Earlier this month, library board members discussed the possibility of a second floor for the new library to add space while minimizing the footprint.
“We will explore that with Venture in the upcoming weeks, months,” Berner said.
The proposal for the county to purchase the two-building, 12-unit complex at 205 E. Division St. fell short of the required two-thirds majority vote required.
The proposal was to buy the apartments for $975,000 and eventually raze the buildings. For at least two years, until construction of a library would begin, the residents would be allowed to continue living there. If plans for the library did not materialize, the apartments would remain and the property sold.
Berner said there are some positive actions yet to come.
“Associated (Bank) is open to some kind of discussion about that parking lot (near the library) that’s theirs,” he said.
Berner said discussion will also continue with Bertram Wireless about potentially buying the garage behind its East Division Street building.
“That’s still going to stay in motion,” he said. “We’re gong to work on getting some other deliverables so that we can evaluate some options in the future and hopefully minimize the confusion.”
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
