Library board mulls private partnership to build new central branch

At a meeting on Monday night, the Ottawa Public Library's board of directors voted in favour oflooking for a private partnerto build a new central library branch.

The 40-year-old building at the corner ofLaurierAvenue and Metcalfe Street is in need of upgrades, and aToronto architecture firm gave the city three different renovation options.

But they carry a price tag ranging from $40 to $70 million.

"I can tell you,we do not have the money today to do any of those three options," said board chair Coun. Jan Harder.

"What's out there that would make financial sense and also offer the library of the future services to the people ... in the urban area, near transit? That's where we've invested as a city to some great degree."

Interested partiesalready inquiring, Harder says

Harder said a new library, potentially in a new location, could share space with an upstairs tenant, and thatshe's already receivedseveral calls from potential investors.

About 16,000 people walk through the main branch's front doors each week, and are greeted with an out-of-date facility that doesn't have smartphone or Wi-Fi reception in most areas.

Elaine Condos, a division manager with Ottawa Public Library, said the central library should be modern and inviting.

"The building was built at a time when there were no computers. It was built more as a warehouse for books ... And the building as it is now can't support the delivery of modern library services," Condos said.

Staff are expected to submit their report on a public-private partnership to the city's library board sometime in 2015.

MPP suggests move out of downtown core

Ottawa Centre MPP Yasir Naqvi said in a letter to the editor in the Ottawa Citizen Monday he's suggesting Bayview Yards as a potential location for the new main branch.

"It's located at a great place right next to the Ottawa River,this is where our Confederation (LRT) line is going to meet the O-Train so it will be quite accessible by public transit for the entire city," Naqvi said Tuesday.

"Not to mention Bayview Yards is land owned by the city."

Naqvi said he prefersa "central" location rather than a "downtown"location for the main branch, saying it should be a focal point for the entire city.

Lauren Rock, acting president of the Centretown Community Association, said it would be sad to see the main branch move out of her neighbourhood, likening it to the loss of the World Exchange Plaza theatre last year.

"We think this is the exact opposite of what we need," she said.

"Right at the time when all sorts of condos are going up in our communitywe are at the same time hollowing out the social capital facilities that we desperately need to keep it a vibrant community."

Rock said the association isn't opposed to moving the central branch, but feels community assets should remain in the downtown core as a place where everyone can come and learn.

Poll question

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