Richmond moves closer to library renovation

By Seth Quillen

March 19, 2004 | RICHMOND -- The city's Carnegie Library is looking to get an early birthday present this year, in the sum of a $10,000 grant to go toward much needed renovations. The library, which is starting to show its age, will celebrate its 90th birthday in October.

The City Council gave the go ahead Tuesday night to have contractor Barry Smith from Salt Lake City provide a final drawing concept of the renovations, which must be completed and sent for approval by March 31 for the library to receive grant money.

The grant will not only cover renovations it will also be applied toward enlarging the library, updating its resources, landscaping and a new parking lot on the north side of the building.

Councilwoman Terrie Wierenga said the cost of renovation comes to $670,000 and with all the additional work and upgrades the total will round out at about $1.5 million.

The city does not plan on putting the expense in the hands of the taxpayers. The fund raising committee is already working on raising money.

"We are starting to beat bushes and get some big donors, there's a lot of money right here [in Richmond]," said Wierenga, who only expects about 20 percent of the cost will be bonded.

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