Lombard library to host public hearing on borrowing plan

Lombard's library board is taking preliminary steps to borrow up to $25 million so it will be ready to act if it settles a dispute with the park district over where to construct a new building.

Voters in November approved a property tax increase so the outdated Helen M. Plum Memorial Library at 110 W. Maple St. could be demolished and replaced with a larger, more modern structure.

But the library needs the park district, which owns neighboring Lilacia Park, to sign off on the project. And the park district has refused to give the library permission to build more than one story on land that used to be part of the park.

Still, the library board has scheduled a public hearing for tonight about its intent to sell up to $25 million in bonds to pay for the future building. Trustees are expected to eventually take a vote that would give authorization to sell the bonds.

However, officials stress that no money will be borrowed until after there's a plan for the new building.

Library spokeswoman Sue Wilsey said officials want to get the board's authorization now "so when we do get to a point where we are going to issue the bonds, we don't have to wait."

Wilsey said the bond authorization would be valid for up to three years.

"So we'll have that window of opportunity to complete the plans for the new building and get the costs," she said.

In the meantime, library officials are working to negotiate with the park district.

The reason the library needs permission from the park district dates to the 1970s, when it acquired part of Lilacia Park so it could expand its first floor.

As part of that deal, the roof of the library addition was made into a plaza that overlooks the park. While the library owns the plaza deck, the park district owns the air space above it.

The park district gave the library land on several occasions with the understanding that nothing would be built beyond a certain height at those locations. The park district says it has air rights to the north, east and west of the library.

Wilsey said the library wants to draft a plan that is "satisfactory to everyone." Once the plan is completed, it will be presented to residents for their feedback.

Last month, library board President Jason Brandt said the goal is to keep the project within the $22.3 million cost discussed during the referendum campaign. He said more money might be needed for contingencies caused by delays.

The public hearing on the bond issue is planned for 7 p.m. in the library's auditorium.