Letter To The Editor: Support New Downtown Library Location, Repurpose Cedar River Library

Keep the building over the Cedar River under Renton’s control. Join me in voting for the New downtown Library located west of the Piazza. While there is no argument from me that the building over the Cedar River is unique and special to the City of Renton. It is a very special building with many needs and possibilities. This building should be repurposed for the City of Renton residents.

1. Allows a building to be made that will fit the needs of library users, not the users fit the building.

2. Reduces the possibility of damage while updating the Cedar River building to the present code.

a. Depending on the amount of work required for a certain project is the deciding factor if the building remains in its 1966 state of the art condition or if it has to be brought up to the present date building codes. Updating this building to a 2012 state of the art building will require updating to the present code.

b. Any reconstruction can be more difficult with unknown consequences then a new building.

3. Allows usage of a full service library during construction of a new library building.

a. Cuts out the need and cost for a temporary library during reconstruction.

b. Full service availability for students and residents in downtown Renton during this time.

4. The smaller size makes sense:

a. The Service Center in Issaquah provides support operations for the entire KCLS library branches including Renton and there is additional long term storage at the Preston site.

b. The library branch in the Highlands has seen increased usage since its hours were increased and with a larger residential area will again see a raise in usage with the 2 and ½ time increase in size, while it is likely that the downtown library will see a decrease in usage, because of the increase in size to the Highlands branch.

c. With a new smaller building it will provide better sight lines inside the building that will assist in reducing unsavory activity and make it more desirable for usage. 5. Makes the building over the Cedar River available for any usage that the City of desires. This building if kept has a library would be under the control of KCLS and even something as simple as posting the winner of the rubber duck race on the front door of this building would not be a possibility.

—David L McCammon, Renton