City unveils drawings for library expansion as commission reaffirms support

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com

The city of Yachats unveiled an engineer’s drawing of the proposed expansion and remodel of the library building Thursday, likely bringing to close years of debate over moving it, expanding it or doing nothing.

Facilities manager Heather Hoen showed the drawing and building schematics to the Library Commission, saying the city would be seeking bids for the work as soon as she and the commission worked out finer details of the plans.

The presentation came just before the commission voted 5-0 to reaffirm previous recommendations to remodel the library, which was built in 1973 and is now considered too small for books and programs.

The vote came at the urging of commission member David Rivinus, who said he keeps hearing comments in the community about the expansion and senses some “hesitation and misgivings” by a few volunteers and a segment of the public.

“People who use the library see that it’s too small,” said Nikki Carlson, who said every step of planning has involved volunteers and the nonprofit Friends of the Yachats Library. “There’s not enough room for books.”

The city had twice proposed moving the library to its newly-purchased 501 Building adjacent to the Yachats Commons, but backed off those plans when estimates to move it there topped $1 million. That left library supporters to make do with the current building on West Seventh Street – which is in the best shape of all city properties – or find an affordable expansion.

“Volunteers are more than happy to stay in the current building, but we need room” said Marion Godfry. “Mediocre is not good enough. We need to improve on what we’ve got.”

Commission chair Marv Wigle said everyone was frustrated by the back-and-forth plans to move to the 501 Building. “But without that we might not be looking at this expansion,” he said.

The proposed addition is 400 square feet attached to the east side of the library. The design shows steps leading to a patio-type entrance of double doors. Siding would be Hardiboard lap or shingle siding. The drawing shows pillars at the front of the current library enclosed in stone, which is also on part of the addition’s siding, under the proposed drawings.

Normally, it might cost $160,000 to build, Hoen said, but because state law requires the city to pay prevailing union wages the cost will be closer to $230,000. She also hopes to replace siding on the rest of the library, replace all floor coverings and paint the interior – which will add to the final bill.

The design is by Dennis Lowrey, a Waldport engineer and owner of Creative Design & Engineering. He is also working with the city on plans to replace the Little Log Church and Museum.

The Library Commission has asked the city for $60,500 in its 2019-20 capital budget for the expansion. It will recommend the city use $100,000 of a $150,000 library bequest from the Hall family, said Wigle, and it will seek grants and donations for the rest.

“I don’t see us asking for more than the $60,000 that the city has committed,” he told YachatsNews.com.