|
by Carey King
Eight architecture and consulting firms have contacted the Joint
Library Task Force with proposals to conduct a library feasibility
study for Jackson County.
Task force member John Bunn said at the group's Nov. 10 meeting
that he was "real pleased" with the firms' submissions.
Two of the eight firms, Harvard Jolly Clees Toppe Architects of
St. Petersburg, Fla., and Moseley, Wilkins & Wood of Charlotte,
have been invited to make presentations at the task force's Nov.
25 meeting.
"Both of them seemed to have lots of experience in library
facilities," said task force member Linda Young.
Both firms' proposals included a full-time consultant for the
project. Each also offered "both a consultant and an architect
to guide us through this process," said chairman Joe Rosanno.
Though the chosen firm will not create detailed architectural
plans for the library, it will gather public input and make general
recommendations about the facility, Bunn said.
"Southwestern Community College is going to be responsible
for the building design. We're responsible for the library portion
of it," said Rosanno.
"If you are pleased with what comes out of this, you can
make a recommendation that the SCC architects work with Firm A
or Firm B for the library," suggested SCC's Connie Haire.
If the task force is satisfied with the two firms' presentations,
one will be selected Dec. 9. However, members have not yet ruled
the other six proposals out.
A Feb. 3 deadline has been set for public input and the firm's
final report. The task force will then make its recommendation
on whether the joint library is feasible or not to the Jackson
County Board of Commissioners by the middle of March.
Once the commissioners receive that report, the public will have
additional opportunity to comment, Rosanno said.
The next event on the group's agenda is a public question-and-answer
session at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17, in Courtroom 2 of the Justice
Center. Task force members will give a history of recently-proposed
library changes, as well as address issues raised in surveys the
task force placed in the Nov. 6 Sylva Herald, downtown businesses,
and local libraries.
Though the surveys were initially to be returned by Wednesday,
Nov. 12, the task force will accept the forms through Saturday,
Nov. 15. Survey forms continue to be available at public libraries
and downtown business locations. They may also be obtained from
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at information booths in
front of Wal-Mart, Harold's Supermarket and Ingles.
Sponsored by Build Our Library Downtown, the booths are not affiliated
with the task force.
|
