Libertyville cool to library plan

One goal of Cook Memorial Public Library District's expansion plan in downtown Libertyville is to add more usable space.

However, village officials, who have final say in the plan, prefer the addition be built out rather than up.

The district has been working for months on the expansion design to increase the cramped 1970s-era facility by a third.

Shared for the first time Tuesday with village trustees, the design didn't draw rave reviews. Some officials did not think a second story addition was the best route.

"I understand what you're trying to do, I just don't like the bulk," Mayor Jeff Harger told library representatives.

"We want to see more of a 'Libertyville type' building rather than increasing a look that hasn't been liked in years."

Trustees informally favored a single-story addition to extend into the existing parking lot.

Trustee Bob Peron said he thought the district could do better and save money by expanding at ground level rather than "putting it up on stilts."

In a presentation regarding the $7 million project, architect Scott Delano explained the design was intended to make the public spaces "sing" while making them immediately visible to visitors entering the building.

The expansion also is meant to blend with the existing structure and concentrates on making more of the interior space useful while capitalizing on natural light.

Another big concern was parking. The library has 61 spaces. Reconfiguring the lot as part of the proposed addition would add 12 spaces. An at-grade expansion would result in a loss of 16 spaces.

"We put a premium on not losing spaces. We're responding to an overwhelming concern by our patrons," said library board President Aaron Lawlor.

Village officials said a planned parking garage across Cook Avenue about 400 feet from the library entrance would add 226 parking spaces. Improvements to the existing village lot and another future parking garage east of Milwaukee Avenue will add hundreds more -- enough for businesses and library patrons alike.

Library officials said patrons, particularly mothers with kids and seniors, like to park close to the building.

"We're going to have more than ample parking to help everybody downtown," said Trustee Luke Lukens. "I wouldn't make that your No. 1 criteria."

The village board has final say on design and landscaping matters on all structures except for single-family homes. The village also owns the land where the library is located.

Library officials were diplomatic Wednesday, saying the first look is bound to solicit comments and questions. The board next week plans to discuss the matter. Members said a design change is not out of the question.

"We need to try and get this nailed down pretty quickly," said Library Director Dan Armstrong.