Lisle trustee suggests moving library to downtown

A Lisle trustee says one way to increase foot traffic in the village's downtown would be to move the public library there as part of a larger mixed-use project.

Incumbent Cathy Cawiezel is one of seven Lisle trustee candidates who will appear on the April 2 ballot. The other hopefuls for three open seats on the village board are incumbent Mark Boyle, Stephen Winz, Charles Rego, Sara Sadat, Claire Goldenberg and Michael Olson.

During endorsement sessions this week with the Daily Herald, all the candidates were asked about how the village should improve downtown. In her response, Cawiezel challenged the assertion that Lisle needs more apartments to bring an influx of residents to the area.

"I do not worship at the alter of residential density," Cawiezel said Tuesday.

She said she believes a better alternative for downtown Lisle would be to have more "destination" businesses that draw people from around the village and beyond. A downtown library would serve that purpose, she said.

"We need to look at other things that will up that foot traffic in a more consistent manner," Cawiezel said. "I think the library is a very real opportunity."

Lisle Library District officials have made no decisions about expanding or replacing their building at 777 Front St.

But the idea of relocating to a downtown spot as part of a mixed-use project was discussed during one of the library's strategic planning sessions.

According to the minutes from the Oct. 19 meeting, it was stipulated that the move would have to be "financially feasible" and "provide organizational efficiencies, as well as other advantages."

Library trustees during that meeting "provided positive feedback and agreed that exploring potential opportunities in the downtown area was appropriate," according to the minutes.

Library Director Tatiana Weinstein on Wednesday said there has been no discussion since.

But she said officials "will have to make some decisions" about the existing library building within the next three years.

"We need to repurpose space," Weinstein said. "We can do it within our footprint. Or we can do it as part of a mixed-use development in the downtown."

Cawiezel said she likes the idea of having the library downtown because the facility gets 400 to 500 visitors a day.

"I think that could be an excellent driver," she said.

One possibility could be to have a building with the library on the ground floor and senior housing on the upper floors. "I find that to be a very alluring concept," Cawiezel said.

Weinstein said she believes a downtown location would benefit the library and the village.

But in order for the move to happen, she stressed, it must be financially feasible for the library. Also, the village would need to be actively involved in the effort.

"We're not in the position to solicit developers," Weinstein said. "This is a village role. We could be a part of it."