Top sites for proposed new library still stand
The Daily Inter Lake
Board soliciting architects for input
An advisory committee is sticking with its top three locations for a proposed new main Flathead County library building, but has included five other possible sites in a list forwarded to the library Board of Trustees.
All of the sites have been investigated and deemed potentially suitable for a main library.
"There were three that seemingly rose to the top, but all eight should still be of consideration," committee member Stewart Harvey said.
On the top-three list are the property at Third Street East and Center Street, Flathead Industries property at Fifth Street West and the existing main library site on First Avenue East.
Runner-up sites include a parcel north of Kalispell Center Mall that had been considered for the proposed Glacier Performing Arts Center; a parcel in the northern portion of Woodland Park; land near the county fairgrounds; land at Flathead Valley Community College; and the former Dollar Store adjacent to the old Tidyman's store that's being converted into a Super 1 Foods grocery store.
In late 2007 and early 2008, the board twice rejected the Tidyman's store as a possible site, largely because of a lack of funding and potential liability over underground pollution at the site.
The Citizens Advisory Committee for Library Facilities, which has for some time been exploring potential sites, recommended that the Library Board invite architectural firms to submit letters of interest to get involved in a "conceptualization" project for the top three sites.
Letters from architectural firms should contain descriptions of the company, examples of past projects and capacity to build a new library.
The board wants the input to get "creative and thoughtful solutions' to help in the decision-making process and identify a range of costs and options. It's not intended be to a competition, according to a press release from the committee.
Letters should be sent by June 30 to: Flathead County Library Board of Trustees, Library Conceptualization Project, 247 First Ave. E., Kalispell, MT 59901.