Village Board Authorize Use of Village Funds for Library Parking Lot

Village board members authorized the use of about $5,000 of village funds for modification of the parking lot at Cook Park Library at a recent meeting.

The modifications will allow two-way traffic off Brainerd Avenue by removing the existing sidewalk and relocating the curb on the north side of this access way, widening the drive aisle.

There are two possible scenarios with the layout:

1. Widen the Brainerd Avenue access point and temporarily block the Church Street exit when events are scheduled;
2. Widen the Brainerd access point and permanently close the Church Street exit.

The parking lot modifications would not start until spring and the village should be able to do majority of the work, according to the Mayor.

“As far as permitting the library to use the Brainerd entrance permanently or temporarily, I would recommend that we leave that up to them,” said Mayor Terry Weppler during the board meeting on Dec. 11.

Mayor Weppler says the village has funds for the parking modification because the library was charged a building fee, which in better economic climates, were typically waived.

In discussions with the library board, Mayor Weppler says parking spots was also a serious concern.

“One of the things that came up at the library board meeting was that if we are going to have Brainerd to be used as an exit, then why not just close Church Street permanently? That would allow them an additional one handicap spot, or I believe two regular spots and would give us three additional parking spots on Church Street.”

The Board of Library Trustees of the Cook Memorial Public Library District will meet in the Lower Level meeting Room at Cook Park Library at 6:30pm on Jan. 18.