To build or not build a new library in downtown Jackson, tis a question debated by the Jackson City Council earlier this week. WLBT reported Monday:
A Jackson city councilman is calling on the city and Jackson/Hinds Library System to finalize plans for a new downtown library, saying the clock is ticking on a federal grant awarded to pay for it.
The city received close to $4 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) about three years ago to replace the Eudora Welty Library.
However, the city has yet to find a location to house that branch, and the clock is ticking, with five years left before the city has to give the money back.
“That money is not going to last forever, and if we can’t figure out a plan soon on how to use it, we’re going to lose those funds,” said Council Vice President Kevin Parkinson.
Parkinson’s comments came during a Finance Committee meeting last week, as they were hearing a budget presentation from JHLS Executive Director Jeanne Williams.
“My understanding from the Planning Department is you have eight years to draw the funds down, and we’re three years in,” Williams said.
Williams asked for level funding year over year, saying that she would be seeking additional funds from the Hinds County Board of Supervisors, which has decreased its allocation in recent years.
Meanwhile, she said even if the city was able to open a new downtown branch, she wasn’t sure the system would be able to operate it.
“Our board - we are working on a plan with a partner. We’re not sure if it’s going to work out or not, but again, we can’t commit to building the building or renovating the building if we know we don’t have the funding to support it,” she said.
Parkinson said it might make sense to prepare a building now and even keep it offline until it can be staffed and furnished to prevent the city from losing the funds. Rest of article.
Leave it to Jackson to miss out on a grant yet again. Leave it to Jackson to have leaders who suggest building a library even if there is no money to staff it. Build it and the money might come.
Well, let's suppose Jackson somehow finds the money to operate a new library, where should a new library be?
Allow the Kingfish to offer a suggestion. There is a building downtown that is in a prime location, is more than large enough to replace the Eudora Welty library, and is in great shape: The Clarion-Ledger building.
The building is barely staffed. If vagrants get out of hand, JPD is across the street. Gannett would probably love the chance to unload the property. There is the matter of losing property taxes but perhaps a developer could buy it and lease it to the city. Just a thought.
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