The Seattle Public Library board of trustees has identified a site currently occupied by U.S. Bank as its preferred site for a new library in Ballard. The Library Board took the unanimous vote at its Sept. 26 meeting to clear the way for Library staff to begin property negotiations, though the board has not yet made a final site decision.
In November 1999, the Library Board narrowed to three the list of potential sites for the new, 15,000-square-foot library. The sites were: U.S. Bank on the east side of 22nd Avenue Northwest; Bartell Drug Store on the west side of 22nd Avenue Northwest; and Eagles Hall and adjacent service garage on the east side of 24th Avenue Northwest. All the sites are between Northwest 56th and Northwest 57th streets.
Since then, the Library and U.S. Bank have been discussing whether to site the bank, the library and a neighborhood service center on the property.
Linda Larson, a Library Board member and steward for the new Ballard Library, said she supported ranking the U.S. Bank site as the board's first choice. "We've had productive discussions with U.S. Bank," she said. "The bank has been very receptive and is working hard with us."
The bank site, which is the largest of the sites under consideration, was included as a possible library location in the proposed municipal center master plan and is across the street from a potential park. It is within one block of Market Street and offers high visibility.
The new $6.5 million library, which is scheduled to open in 2002, will have more seats, expanded reference areas, larger areas for children and young adults, more computer space, an expanded collection, a 90-seat meeting room and more parking.
(For more information, call Caroline Young Ullmann, communications assistant, 206-615-1627.)
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Content modified: 28 September 2000
12/30/2005
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