By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
After a yearlong period of dormancy, Whitewater’s elected officials recently dusted off discussions on the proposed expansion of the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library.
Several city staffers — including Library Director Stacey Lunsford and Community Development Authority representatives Patrick Cannon and Jeff Knight — discussed with the council the components of a possible mixed-use development that would include a revamped library space.
The extent of that discussion, held during a Common Council meeting March 21, is unknown because it took place behind closed doors. State statutes permit governing bodies to meet in closed session in narrow circumstances, including for competitive or bargaining reasons.
In March 2016, library representatives and developers approached the city about a possible project calling for a library and hotel.
The unseemly development mix bubbled to the surface after a similar project transpired in a peer community: the City of Platteville, which, like Whitewater, hosts a state university.
St. Cloud, Minn.-based United Development Solutions had a role in facilitating construction of a 72-room hotel near Platteville’s library. The firm has been brought into the fold to look into such a possible arrangement in Whitewater.
Although such a development in Whitewater is far from official, there is consensus within decision-makers’ circles in Whitewater that the existing library facility is bursting at the seems and needs more space to adequately serve all patrons.
For all components of a library expansion to be realized in Whitewater, about $10 million in funding will be necessary. The project could include additional meeting and storage space and an enhancement of the library’s existing media collection.
The projected cost of the expansion has frequently been a sticking point — particularly if only public dollars are allocated toward it.
Amid last year’s discussions, city leaders said they were willing to explore every feasible option available.
“In an effort to reduce cost and make an expanded library a reality, staff and Library Board members have been exploring a variety of public-private partnership strategies,” City Manager Cameron Clapper and Library Director Stacey Lunsford wrote in a memo at the time.
