Published: Tuesday, Nov. 03, 2009 / Updated: Wednesday, Nov. 04, 2009 09:30 AM
New library plans await funding OK
STEELE CREEK --
Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County planners know they need a new Steele Creek library and know where they'll put it. They just haven't nailed down when.
“It will be called the Southwest Regional Library, if and when it is built,” said Angela Haigler, public information specialist for the library system. “This is one of the fastest growing areas of the county, and the current Steele Creek library is one of our best used facilities.”
The county purchased property in July at 8509 Shopton Road for a future regional library to be larger than other branch locations such as the existing Steele Creek location at 13620 Steele Creek Road. That branch spreads 15,000 square feet, while existing regional libraries range from 18,000 square feet at Independence to 34,000 square feet at South County. By adding the new Southwest Regional Library, planners hope to build on one of the most visited sites at Steele Creek.
“The goal is not to decrease traffic at other branches, but rather to expand capacity of the overall library system to serve the rapidly growing population of Mecklenburg County,” said library spokeswoman Cordelia Anderson. “Our intention is to create facilities that will meet the needs of both our current and future citizens.”
In spring 2008, the library system began updating its facilities' master plan. Last year, community feedback through focus groups, phone surveys, meetings with town leaders and data collection on projected population growth and transit patterns identified several needed projects. Those needs include three library replacements, two renovations and a new library in Ballantyne, along with Southwest Regional. Indentifying needs for the master plan is ongoing.
“During that process we will determine the need for new libraries, recommend general locations, estimate costs and recommend an implementation timeline,” Anderson said.
Like schools, parks and other departments relying on county bond money for construction, the library system is waiting to see when the bonds approved last year will be sold. The site on Shopton Road, otherwise, is “shovel-ready,” Anderson said.
“When they get ready to build a new library, they look at the traffic in the current library and also projected growth in that area,” Haigler said. “Everything depends on funding.”
When the money does come, area readers should expect expanded programs from the current offerings at the Steele Creek branch.
“The current Steele Creek branch is not slated for replacement,” Anderson said. “It will stay in its current location. The new Southwest Regional, contingent upon funding approval, will be an accompaniment.”
The bond approval for the new library was held November 2007. For comparison, the existing Morrison Regional library opened in 1991, four years after bond approval. Given the current economy, planners have no timeline for whether the new projects might take longer. For more information, visit plcmc.org.
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