HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93010_0784Gaulden said he was more inclined to locate the facility on a flat surface instead
of a sloped area.
Commissioner Williams said he had concerns about deciding on a site and then
realizing there were problems, e.g., bad soil, or anything that might increase construction
costs. He asked Mayor Marshall if he had the backing from the city if this happened.
Marshall said the city was asking for the opportunity to investigate the sites. He
said, "We will do due diligence. We will do soil borings. I would suspect the county
plans to do the same at the Eastside Drive site."
Commissioner Johnson asked the city officials if they expected a commitment
from the county to build the library on the site if an investigation was performed on it.
Johnson said he couldn't commit to a site if there was uncertainty about whether it was
"buildable."
Mashburn said the city would determine if the Meeting & Stockton sites were
"buildable." He said that if the county chose either Meeting or Stockton Street, the
county was saying to the city officials, "We like the site, but show us you will make it
ready in two weeks."
Hites said the soil borings could begin next week. He said the city engineer and
the soil engineer could work together to determine if a site was suitable. Mr. Hites said
the engineers felt they could be finished in two or three weeks. He said, "Both sites
Meeting & Stockton) could have a fatal flaw"
Johnson said the city was offering $750,000 to keep the library downtown. He
said, "If it goes up to $1 million to get the site 'buildable,' the city council will again be
approached for more money"
Hites agreed.
Johnson said the building industry was recovering from the recession, and the
county's $5.6 million might not obtain everything that was originally planned.
Commissioner Bowles asked if the Stockton Street comer lots could be
purchased.
Steele said John & Kay Martin owned them, and they were for sale.
Commissioner Williams asked the architect about the feasibility of using the
Meeting Street site.
Gaulden said the "geometry" had been proven. He said, however, there wouldn't
be as much room for expansion. He said that, originally, a building with two -and -a -half
stories had been proposed for the Tradd St. site. Mr. Gaulden said the half story on the
bottom was basically the mechanical room and the shipping/receiving area.
Messick said the two -and -a -half story building was "site specific" for the Tradd
Street topography.
Mr. Gaulden said the Meeting Street location would not be conducive to a three
story or two -and -a -half story structure. He said some areas would have to be built up
four or five feet deep with "fill" dirt.
Messick said the library construction plans had been reduced twice. He said the
proposed 40,000 sq. ft. building would be adequate for about 15 years. Thereafter,
expansion would be needed. He said branch libraries would probably be needed in the
future, but a central library was still a necessity. Mr. Messick said it was more cost
effective to have a central library for the satellites.