BOCC moves closer to county library

Orange County knows not to judge a mixed-use library by its blueprints.

But on Tuesday, Orange County residents caught a glimpse of the preliminary plans for the library they might see in April 2017, as the Board of County Commissioners approved the county’s letter of intent for the Southern Branch Library.

Jeff Thompson, director of asset management services for Orange County, said the Board’s approval authorizes the county to begin negotiating the set of contracts for the development.

“There is a need for it, there has been a need for many years and a desire for people to have a library in that location,” said Lucinda Munger, Orange County library director.

“What we’re trying to do is bring a full range of library services to the area of Carrboro — currently we don’t,” she said.

Munger said such services would include a full staff, full book collection and an abundance of programming opportunities — all services that she said the other two Orange County libraries are unable to provide.

The prospective library would be a mixed-use space, with the library and office space on the first floor and single-family apartments on the other four floors, according to the letter of intent.

“There will be other things happening besides a stand-alone library, which is interesting, and it’s exciting, and it’s something that may bring a different flavor for the Southern Branch Library,” Thompson said.

“We will have a built-in audience for the library,” Munger said.

Main Street Properties of Chapel Hill, LLC is the intended developer of the project. The group also developed the 300 East Main property adjacent to the lot proposed for the library and plans to integrate the two.

“If that site is built, it will be seamless,” Thompson said. “The whole thing will look like one developed property.”

A rough estimate projects the cost of the development will be around $8.9 million. Included in the budget are expenditures including land, professional services, construction equipment and furnishings, Thompson said.

The county conducted a public outreach series from January to May 2014, and the public was invited to give feedback for the project.

“Over 200 people enthusiastically loved the idea of a library,” said Munger.

Munger said public opinion of the project has been positive because the library will serve low-income communities and offer urban library services.

“This is a county facility, and we welcome anyone to use it,” she said. “It’s an opportunity to do something unique for a very unique and vibrant community.”

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