Planned Springville library shrinking with economy

SPRINGVILLE — Residents may get less of a library than they anticipated in November when they passed a $9.8 million bond.

Nearly 58 percent of Springville voters cast ballots in favor of a bond proposition to help fund a 45,000-square-foot library. Because of the struggling economy, the Springville City Council likely won't be able to meet the previously planned $14 million budget for the project. That budget now is estimated at $11 million, Mayor Gene Mangum said Tuesday.

The shortfall is resulting in a library closer to 35,000 square feet.

"That's shortsighted," resident David Hatch said. "A smaller library is not as functional. It just won't be the gem for our community."

Just how big the new library will be depends on the cost of construction, Councilman Dean Olsen said.

The city could build a 50,000-square-foot library for $9 million, "but you won't like it," Councilman Neil Strong said.

The City Council has directed staff to look for grants and donations to help fund the project.

"The council is open to where the rest of the money will come from," said Troy Fitzgerald, city administrator.

Springville has spent about $750,000 in acquiring land to build the new library on the corner of Main and Center streets. Another $200,000 will likely go for architectural services, Fitzgerald said. Construction could start in the fall and be completed by the end of 2010.

The city hasn't yet spent any of the bond money for the library.

The existing city library, an 8,100-square-foot facility built in the mid-1960s, is scheduled to be razed, along with City Hall. Work is continuing on a new civic center and a new fire station on the City Hall block.

The first of four public hearings about the library is set for Feb. 19.

E-mail: rodger@desnews.com