Town Council okay with proposed library expansion

Tight fit raises some concern over project

The Crested Butte Town Council had some reservations with the proposed library expansion planned for the south side of the Old Rock Library but agreed to proceed with the plan. The proposed 1,446-square-foot building would be used as a children’s space.

The council was concerned about parking as outlined under the plan. Because of the location and expansion, the public parking currently available in the south parking lot would be eliminated. That parking lot would be used solely for the marshal’s department. The lost parking spaces could be made up through changing the street parking along Fifth Street to “head-in” parking as opposed to parallel parking. A drop-off zone would be built near Maroon Avenue and Fifth. Still, the project falls three parking spaces short of what would normally be required.
“BOZAR approved the proposal with certain provisions,” explained town building official Bob Gillie. “They recommended the library be responsible for snow shed and snow removal issues and also be responsible for building certain elements like sidewalks and the drop-off zone.”
“Do we normally negotiate parking?” asked mayor Leah Williams.
“We don’t usually negotiate parking but we have leeway on public property,” said Gillie. “Most people felt this was good public use so they looked for alternatives.”
“We spent considerable time working with BOZAR and the town staff,” said library executive director Larry Meredith. “We would certainly appreciate your support of BOZAR’s recommendation.”
“To me it appears the only option,” commented councilperson John Wirsing. “I wish there was a better way. The biggest negative for me is that it blocks one of the most beautiful buildings in town (Old Rock) from the Elk Avenue viewshed. If this is the only way then I guess this is the only way.”
“There aren’t many options but we looked at them all, including starting from scratch,” said Meredith. “We too would have liked to have done something else.”
“BOZAR has the knowledge and expertise,” said Williams. “If they feel it fits in, then it looks pretty good to me for blocking that side of the building.”
“John’s concerns were reflected in the BOZAR discussion,” said Gillie. “It’s the best we could come up with given the circumstances. It’s not perfect.”
“It seems like the marshals are getting a lot of parking spaces over there,” said councilperson Jim Schmidt. “I’m hesitant to say to our businesses that they have to provide X-amount of parking per square feet and we’re waiving it here.”
“The drop-off alleviates some of the parking needs,” said Williams.
“We see drop-off issues every day right now,” said Gillie. “To have a designated drop-off area is seen as a plus.”
Wirsing reiterated a suggestion he had made before about having the marshals take over the Old Rock building and the library move into the marshal’s office.
“It wasn’t viable when we looked at it,” said Williams. “The marshals weren’t interested in moving.”
“I understand the public benefit but wish we could squeeze in more parking,” said Schmidt.
“I think it is exciting to see how far it has come, but I don’t think we are there yet,” added councilperson Reed Betz. “Placement is a concern and I, too, have a concern taking away public parking and giving it to the marshals when businesses have to pay for parking. I feel a bit of a conflict and I’d like to see it go back to staff for more discussion.”
“I wish we didn’t have this parking problem but I think we will have enhanced parking by losing the parallel parking,” said Williams. “This is a public benefit for the community.”
“I see the public benefit but am having a principle issue,” said Betz.
“We have allowed private businesses to provide amenities instead of parking, like the creek walk behind Bacchanale in lieu of parking,” said Gillie. “I don’t see the disconnect so much. They will be paying for the drop-off zone and sidewalks.”
“This is probably the best we could get in that space,” said councilperson Roland Mason.
“I have a business and I paid for parking and I think this is a good plan,” said councilperson Phoebe Wilson. “It’s probably the safest move to not have kids getting in and out of cars when the marshals are coming in and out of the parking lot.”
“I feel the process has gone on long enough,” added councilperson Dan Escalante. “You got a thumbs-up from us last spring and BOZAR looked at this so I don’t want to make the process longer than it’s been.”
“This plan will change some. It’s a concept that needs more fleshing out,” said Gillie. “We’ll do the best we can to get the most we can without compromising safety.
“The creek walk is a good example so we won’t be setting precedent. They’ll do the enhancements,” said Williams.
“We all made concessions,” summed up Meredith. “BOZAR has been very detailed. We’ll get it done right.”
The council voted unanimously to continue the process of further working out details of the proposed expansion.
The library board will be coming to the voters in November and asking them to pass a bond to fund the Crested Butte expansion, along with major improvements in Gunnison.
A meeting about the project will be held Tuesday, August 2 at 7 p.m. at the Old Rock Library.