The Park Grove Library renovation plans will move forward, following action at the Sept. 17 Cottage Grove City Council meeting.
City planner Samantha Pierret presented an overview of the plans to the council, followed with remarks by Washington County Library Director Jacquie Kramer.
First opened back in 1984, the Park Grove Library renovation will embrace several changes, as well as having continuity. Library renovation designs were done by Alliance Architects, after community feedback was sought through both community open house events and online feedback.
The renovation designs as settled on include two access points off Hemingway Avenue, additional plantings and trees, an outdoor walkup book drop, and space for teen gamin, among other features.
The new exterior facade meanwhile as planned will be composed of brick and metal paneling, while a second story included in the plans will be used for mechanical equipment. A dedicated sidewalk corridor and lighting above the entrance will guide users to the entrance, with a story time berm also included in plans for the exterior, on the south side of the building.
As to the interior, large front windows will let light in, with other features including a quiet study hub and study rooms, adult, teen, and children’s book collections, computers, dedicated learning lab with 3D printers and sewing machines, teen gaming area, and large meeting room, as well as commons, staff work area, and main desk. A door will lead out to the west reading terrace, with staff/service entry on the north.
Park Grove Library is currently finalizing plans to use the Cottage Grove Service Center as a temporary location, the library on Hemingway closing in February 2026 for construction before reopening in February 2027.
Washington County Commission Karla Bigham spoke after Kramer, highlighting the work of various staffs involved and amount of community engagement.
“I just want to highlight the number of open houses, the online feedback and public engagement, kind of in a time where that can be touch and go,” Bigham said. “It just shows you how important of an asset this is to our community. We couldn’t be more proud and excited for it.”
Cottage Grove Council Member David Clausen agreed that the library renovation project was important.
“I visited the library this summer and I did not realize how busy that little library was,” Clausen said. “This is a long overdue project. I’m glad it’s moving forward…thanks to everyone who worked on it.”
Mayor Bailey read a statement voicing opposition to renovation at the current library site, saying that he did not want his name attached to a vote for the site that will soon have questions on parking and residents asking who moved the project forward.
“I will be voting ‘no’ on this proposal, not because I am against the library, but because I believe we as residents deserve better,” Bailey said in part.
Motion to approve Resolution 2025-114 for a site plan review moving the library project forward was then made by Justin Olsen and seconded by Dave Thiede. The motion carried 4-1, with Bailey in opposition. A followup motion to approve a Developer’s Agreement with Washington County subject to minor modifications as approved by the city attorney was made by Monique Garza and seconded by Thiede, also passing 4-1, with Bailey the sole ‘no’ vote.