New preliminary plans are in for Park Grove Library. Unveiled Wednesday May 14 at an open house at Park Grove Library after a previous open house was cancelled for weather, the preliminary plan …
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New preliminary plans are in for Park Grove Library.
Unveiled Wednesday May 14 at an open house at Park Grove Library after a previous open house was cancelled for weather, the preliminary plan reveal received a good turnout from the public.
"I could not be more excited," District 4 County Commissioner and nearby Crestview alumna Karla Bigham shared of the library renovation plans.
Originally built in 1984, the Park Grove Library currently faces both energy and sustainability issues, as well as visibility. As such it stands in need of renovation, both for space utilization and visibility. Renovation project goals for the library include responsive design, welcoming spaces, fiscal responsibility, sustainability, and employee support.
As to specifics from May 14, preliminary plans shared by Alliiance would seek to rework the interior and add a second floor for mechanical systems, freeing up space below. This in turn would also help address a second major issue, as the the library hard to see after nearby apartments have affected visibility from 80th Street South.
A brief presentation was shared after 6 p.m. before library and county representatives took public feedback.
Among facts shared in the presentation was that libraries came out on top in terms of importance on county surveys, some 100,000 visits made to Park Grove last year. Systemwide, a total of 2.7 million items were checked out at Washington County libraries last year.
As for financing, library renovations at Park Grove would be financed in part with state bonds and seek to increase safety and access to the site alongside other needs.
Readers can engaged online with the project at https://www.washingtoncountymn.gov/3769/Park-Grove-Library-Project
"We accept both positive and negative feedback," Washington County Library spokesperson Mandy Leonard stated.
Now in the planning stage, construction on the Park Grove Library renovations is planned to start in winter 2026.
