Bond Issue Passes
By CATHERINE STORTZ RIPLEY
C-T News Editor
Livingston County's library, a reflection of Chillicothe's past in historic downtown, is now slated for massive renovations this year after voters Tuesday gave a resounding "Yes" to a proposed $3.4 million bond issue to help stabilize the structure for many years to come. The countywide issue needed a 57 percent (four-sevenths) approval rating but
ended Election Day far exceeding the minimum with a whopping 71 percent (nearly five-sevenths).

In all, Tuesday's election had a 21 percent voter turnout with 1,892 people casting ballots. All but 2 percent going to the polls voted on the library question. The issue received 1,305 'yes' votes and 544 'no' votes. Built by the federal government at a cost of  $135,000 in 1915, the stately tan brick building at the corner of Clay and Locust streets has been in continuous use since its construction. It was first built to house a post office and federal court. In 1913, a local newspaper reported that the structure was anticipated to be one "of beauty and which the people will point to with pride."

The federal building continued to serve as a post office until 1966. That year, the library left its home at the corner of Jackson and Washington streets (a building now occupied by Investors National Bank) and relocated
to the federal building.

About 40 people were at the Livingston County courthouse Tuesday night to watch election returns. Among those gathered were 15 to 20 supporters of the library issue, including Library Director Robin Westphal. "We are very excited that the community has supported the library through this project, not just with this vote, but have supported the facility for years," Westphal said when the final returns were posted. "I am pleased that the voters felt the board made the correct decision to proceed with renovations."

"This shows that the community values the services we provide and the facility we have," Westphal added.  The library issue carried throughout the county, with the lowest margin of approval being 59 percent in Chillicothe and Rich Hill townships. The next smallest margin was in Fairview and Grand River townships where 62 percent of the voters cast "yes" ballots.  The measure's biggest support came from Chillicothe's 2nd Ward, with 77 percent of the 297 ballots cast supporting the measure, followed by Chillicothe's 1st Ward with 76 percent of the 338 voters in support of the
issue. Chillicothe's 1st Ward also had the largest voter turnout in the county with 26 percent. Eighty-one percent of the 120 absentee ballots cast were in favor of the bond issue.
Long Time Planning
About five years ago, the Library Board began talking about making significant improvements to the library system. They considered two options to place before voters: renovate the new facility; or, abandon the aging three-story structure and construct a new library elsewhere. After careful consideration of the costs involved in both options, the value of maintaining a historic building, and the library¹s current location, the board moved forward on a proposal to renovate the existing structure.  "It would be completely unaffordable to build a bricks and mortar building somewhere else," said Bruce Brodmerkle, a Library Campaign Committee member. Also, he speculated that some type of a metal prefabricated building might not stand the same test of time as a bricks and mortar building and that a metal building would have less aesthetic value. Abandoning the historic federal building, which is said to be structurally sound, would leave its future in question. "This building has already lasted nearly 100 years," Brodmerkle said of the old federal building, adding that the improvements voted on by the public will help the structure continue for 100 more years.
Brodmerkle was hopeful of the bond issue passing.  "If the issue didn't pass, the library would operate as status quo," he said. "The building would not get the needed repairs and the top two floors would be without water. It would not be user friendly. With its passage, we should be able to transform and repair the library and make it a full dimension better," he added.  Brodmerkle said the library's services have expanded through the years.  "It used to be that libraries were just books," he said. "But, the library has added more things and it is not just books anymore. Passage of the bond
issue gives us an opportunity to provide more for the people."
Making Improvements
Passage of the bond issue means increased functionality as well as improved energy efficiency and ADA accessibility.
Among improvements will be replacing the plumbing, electrical and heating and cooling systems to allow full use of all four floors, creating independent work areas with seating, placing electrical outlets and lighting to maximize use of wireless capability and laptop computers, installing restrooms on all four floors, including a new child-sized toilet and sink in the Children's Library, addressing moisture issues in the basement level Children's Library to improve air quality, and moving the teen area to a larger, more visible area. The bond issue will also allow the facility to have a new HVAC system and replace window air conditioning units and space heaters. The lighting and windows will be replaced with improved energy efficient systems.  Safety issues will also be addressed with the placement of new front steps,
ice guards on the roof, a stairway between the Children's Library and the second floor to provide an additional means of egress, improved outside lighting and emergency and exit lighting inside. Security cameras will be added to the second floor and staff offices on the third floor will be inaccessible to unauthorized persons.  All of the necessary improvements will be achieved with the goal of preserving the integrity of the historic 1915 building, Westphal said. The
exterior facade will not be dramatically changed. Window choices and step repair will be made with continuity in mind and the interior renovations will retain the historic flavor of the building. Recent foyer renovation will serve as a guide for the first floor enhancements, the director said.  ADA accessibility also will be enhanced with a redesigned ramp access, an ADA restroom on the first floor, an upgraded elevator system and ADA furnishings.
Paying for the Project
With Tuesday's voter approval, the library project will be funded by a bond that will be no longer than 20 years and will cost property owners approximately 14 cents per $100 valuation, which means about $26 annually for a $100,000 home, based on projections by the Library Campaign Committee.  Case Contracting and Creal Clark and Seifert comprise the team working on this project.  The project, Westphal said, will begin in late summer and take about 15
months to complete.
A ceremony will be planned once the renovation is ready to begin, she said.

03 13 08
City Council voices support for library bond issue
Chillicothe City Council members approved several contracts for the coming year, approved a bid for improvements on Trenton Road and endorsed the proposed countywide tax levy for renovating the Livingston County Library.

Library Director Robin Westphal presented information about the proposed April 8 tax levy bond issue that would fund an extensive $3.4 million renovation project at the library. Westphal asked the council for its support of the proposal, stating that renovating the structure (first built as a federal building about 100 years ago) not only preserves an element of history, but keeps the library in the center of downtown Chillicothe and would be about half the cost of building a new library.

The council was unanimous in their support for the ballot measure and 4th Ward Councilwoman Pam Jarding told Westphal that the group should be commended for wanting to renovate the existing business. Others present with Westphal representing the library were Dale Wallace, Inger Young and Barbara French. The proposed tax levy is $0.14 per $100 valuation to last no longer than 20 years. This translates to about $26 annually for a person owning a home valued at $100,000; or about $13 for a person owning a home valued at $50,000.

The issue needs 4/7 (57 percent) approval to pass. The bond question gives broad authorization for the board to direct funds toward the payment of renovating, repairing, improving and equipping the existing Livingston County Library. Infrastructure improvements include new plumbing, upgrades to the electrical system and HVAC units to heat and cool the whole building. Also included in the proposed renovations are measures to improve the functionality of the building including restoring restroom facilities on the second and third floor, improving the teen area and< increasing the availability of independent study area.

The Livingston County Library is supported by a current property tax levy of 26.73 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. A small amount of funding comes from the State of Missouri. Donations from the Friends of the Library and individuals also assist in the funding of the library. In 2006, an architectural firm completed a feasibility study which showed that renovations could be made on the current library building. During the review of the library¹s structural issues, ATA Architects found that the building is sound and worth saving and that it was valued at $2 million.

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