A proposal for Shawano County to purchase a small apartment complex for a potential library construction project fell short of the required two-thirds support needed.
Supervisors voted 15-10 (with one abstention and one member absent) on Sept. 23 to purchase the two-building, 12-unit complex at 205 E. Division St. However, County Clerk Raymond Rigsby later informed the board that because the purchase was unbudgeted, a two-thirds vote of the entire board (18 of 27 members) was required.
The proposal was to buy the apartments for $975,000 and eventually raze the buildings for an expanded public library. For at least two years, until construction of a library would begin, the residents would be allowed to continued living there. If plans for the library did not materialize, the apartment would remain and the property sold.
Shawano resident Dick Karth said his father built the apartments in 1974, and it was sold about 20 years ago.
“I’m here to talk about the concern that you’re taking 12 apartment units that are affordable housing for people that don’t have a lot of alternatives,” he said. “Many of them are elderly, and many have moved to there to live out the last years where they can live independently.”
He suggested purchasing the Wisconsin House, 216 E. Green Bay St., which is on the same block but northeast of the library.
Fellow resident Nancy Cramer said she sees the need for a new library but questioned the need for a lot of parking.
“Most of the time, the library is not that busy, and it does not require parking,” she said. “I just don’t think at this point you need to buy the land that that apartment building is on.”
Library director Stacy Rubenzer countered the comments that the library is not busy and does not have significant parking needs.
“We had over 97,000 patrons this last year alone. Most of those were in the library here,” she said.
Rubenzer also noted the library had more than 157,000 physical checkouts, more than 6,000 computer use sessions, more than 22,000 Wi-Fi sessions, 930 room reservations and 820 programs that draw more than 9,000 attendees.
“Modern libraries are the hub of their communities,” she said. “I can’t go to donors and ask, ‘Could you give us money for a library we don’t know where we’re going to build?’ The investment in a library is an investment in the future of this community.”
Kurt Berner, consultant with The Samuels Group, said the choice to take affordable housing from the community was not taken lightly.
He said if the county does not purchase the property, it will go back on the market, and there is interest from others in buying it.
“This opportunity leaves you,” Berner said. “That is your decision today.”
Supervisor Joe Miller said he was against the purchase.
“This county has a unique ability of purchasing real estate for proposed projects before those proposed projects are even approved by the county board,” he said.
Miller said he wanted to see cost comparisons on building new versus renovating and expanding the current building.
Supervisor Jeremy Gretzinger said the current building is obviously still operable.
“Do we need a new building, and what are the library’s needs?” he asked. “There needs to be a set plan going forward.”
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
