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Panel will discuss Medford library site Talks should provide details leading to vote By PETER WONG A panel will work out the details for a new Jackson County Library System headquarters on a preferred site in downtown Medford. The preferred site is bounded by Eighth and Ninth streets, Central Avenue and Front Street. The panel will consist of two representatives each from the Medford City Council and Medford Urban Renewal Agency and two from Jackson County government. The city and the Urban Renewal Agency own much of the block. "We have a preferred site and the idea is to reach an agreement on that site," said Library Director Ronnie Budge. "This panel will talk about what each agency will contribute to the library. "When the county proposes a bond issue to voters, we will be able to say we know where the library will be, how big it will be, and how much it will cost." The block includes the building that formerly housed McKenzie Outfitters. Budge said that building is not part of the plan. The panel is expected to work out whether the land will be sold, leased or donated for the library; which agencies will pay for street and other utility improvements; and whether the urban renewal agency will pay for a parking structure. Budge said she expected the panel to finish its work in December. "This is a step to stop talking about it and start doing something," said Scott Rayburn of Medford, chairman of the Jackson County Library Advisory Committee, which heard a report from Budge on Monday. A much larger building of 74,000 to 78,000 square feet has been proposed to replace the 15,000-square-foot building that now houses the Jackson County Library System headquarters and serves as the Medford branch library. The Carnegie building at 413 W. Main St. was completed in 1912. Budge said she is concerned the public will see the proposed building as too big. Rayburn acknowledged it is a concern supporters will have to allay if they are to persuade voters next year to approve a countywide bond issue for systemwide improvements. "But it is not a matter of the proposed library being too big," Rayburn said. "It is a matter of the existing library being too small." Its exact size will be determined after the Portland firm of Fletcher, Farr and Ayotte completes floor plans for it and for the potential expansion of 13 other branch libraries, excluding Ashland. The firm is scheduled to complete reports for the branches by next month. The information in those reports will help the library advisory committee and county commissioners decide how much the bond issue should be and when it should go to the voters, possibly in the May 16 primary election. Though the Medford headquarters building would be a focal point of any bond issue, Rayburn said, "I want to emphasize this is a systemwide improvement plan, because everybody needs help." The bond issue would not pay for the projected $1.1 million for the White City library. Funding for that project would come from the White City Urban Renewal District. But a countywide bond issue would include money for already-proposed improvements to the Ashland branch library. Ashland voters will decide Nov. 2 whether to approve a $5.96-million city bond issue for expansion of the library, also a Carnegie building. If voters say yes, city officials say they will await results of a countywide bond issue before selling the city bonds. If the county bond passes, it would cover the cost of the city improvements. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA