Published: May 22, 2009 06:12 pm      

City council kicks in $50,000 to library foundation

The Crossville City Council approved a $50,000 donation to the Art Circle Library Foundation to help fund furniture, books and equipment for what Crossville Mayor J. H. Graham III called “the most important building in the community” and expected to open later this year.

Foundation representatives Diane Brown and Jim Purcell spoke to the city council about the needs and plans for the new library that has been a community dream for many years. Brown reviewed the history of the Art Circle library from its start in a 12-by-15 foot room in the old courthouse building that currently houses the Military Museum. In 1939 the small stone building on East First Street was built with fund raising by the ladies of the Art Circle and a loan from Diane Brown's father's bank at the insistence of her mother. In those days the library was run by volunteers who were members of the Art Circle group.

After 35 years the library moved two blocks down the street in 1975 to the building on East First Street that houses it now. At that time, the ladies of the Art Circle sold their building and turned over the books and the operation of the library to the county.

While the new library building's construction is funded through the county, there is no funding for the shelves, equipment or books needed to fill the library. The foundation plans to raise the $600,000 to provide what the library needs to operate. The foundation was established and began fundraising in February this year and so far about half of their goal has been raised.

The building construction is expected to be finished around August with an opening possible by October, depending on how long it takes to install shelves and move the library operation from its current location.

Purcell showed the council a floor plan of the library and explained about the uses of the first floor including the children's and young adults areas. The children's area is themed as the county fair and even includes a static carousel horse display for kids to play on. According to Purcell most of the first floor of the library is for the youth of the community.

The foundation has put together sponsorships for donors to be recognized including sponsorships of art and various rooms. The city was offered the opportunity to sponsor the large meeting room that will be available to the public for a variety of events. Purcell said the room was designed to seat 200 people around tables, 250 in chairs with a maximum capacity of 332 for events that do not include seating.

Graham commented that, “The library is the most important building in a community,” adding, “It is even more important then the courthouse or city hall!”

The council unanimously approved a motion to donated $50,000 to the library foundation and sponsor the meeting room.

Council members also approved a resolution authorizing the city to apply to the state for a fast-track pilot grant of $750,000 to help with water and sewer infrastructure to the city's new proposed Chestnut Hill Industrial Park. City manager Ted Meadows reported that he had visited with the Crab Orchard Utility District (COUD) seeking permission to run water and sewer lines through territory served by COUD. Meadows said COUD had not only agreed to the city's request but said there was some unused lines in the area that the city might be able to use.

The Chestnut Hill industrial park is part of property the city originally purchased to use as a landfill several years ago. The 11 acres used for the landfill is not part of the proposed industrial park.

The council also approved a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) program for an expansion of Crossville, Inc. formerly known as Crossville Ceramics. The company is constructing a new building and installing a very large press that will allow the plant to produce ceramic tiles that are 24 inches by 24 inches.

The expansion is expected to increase employment by 20-25 people. The value of the investment in building and equipment is over $10.3 million.

The PILOT must still be approved by the Industrial Development Board meeting June 2. The program would phase in property taxes on the value of the expansion over the next 10 years.