March 28, 2024

Library board reviews Walmart questions, options

Gibson Memorial Library Board was told Monday there is plenty of room to house the library within the former Walmart building in Creston.

But there are still several unknowns about relocating the library into that building once remodeled. No action was taken by the board.

Earlier this year, the library inquired the Greater Regional Health foundation about using a portion of the former Walmart building on U.S. Highway 34 to relocate. Last fall, the hospital foundation purchased the building with the intent of converting it into a community and event center. The library has desired to expand its facility on West Howard Street and has an ongoing campaign for support. But space inside the former retail store would work.

“It’s a pretty darn good fit,” said Denny Sharp, an architect from FEH Design in Des Moines about the Walmart building. The firm was asked by the city to study the building and create possible ways the library could fit in the building with the hospital’s plans.

The Tractor Supply store, which opened in 2016, uses about 20,500 square feet. There is about 43,8000 square feet remaining and the library would get 14,300 square feet. A proposed floorplan of the entire building has the library in the middle of the building between Tractor Supply and the hospital’s uses.

Sharp said there are some issues the library faces when remodeling the portion of the building.

“Not a whole lot of daylight gets into this space,” Sharp said. When a retail store, the building had lights and the only natural light was from the front door.

Sharp would expect the front of building would be remodeled for aesthetic appeal which could allow more natural light. He also suggested having skylights installed in the ceiling to create more natural light. But that lead to another question.

“Who is responsible for the roof,” Sharp asked as different entities are under the same roof. “There are a lot of things to figure out with the hospital.”

Library board president Ann Coulter agreed stating a meeting with Greater Regional officials is needed.

Sharp said Greater Regional officials have stated most of the north side of the building would be theirs. Knowing how a city library is a public entity, a rear exit is required to follow building codes. Sharp said installing a rear exit should not be extensive, but does slightly alter the floorplan for the library.

Sharp said the building, which goes back to 1990 according to Union County records, is still structurally sound but it’s mostly vacant condition shows.

“The building needs some attention,” he said.

The building would also need some infrastructure work to break up the electrical wiring for each entity using the building. There is access to water and sewer for the library. Sharp said after the meeting he has repurposed former retail spaces before.

Library board members reviewed possible floorplans for the library.

“Long and narrow buildings are not ideal for a library,” Sharp said describing a rectangle look. “But it can be worked.”

Library board members discussed where certain parts of the library operation would best be located. The main check-out desk was favored near the main entrance as a way for staff to greet customers as they arrived. The children’s section was also suggested near the front of the library so parents pushing strollers and with young children would not have far to walk. A conference room was also suggested in the building.

Creston City Council member Josh Thompson feared the addition of walls, only to separate departments of the library, would restrict the natural lighting from the main entrance.



John Van Nostrand

JOHN VAN NOSTRAND

An Iowa native, John's newspaper career has mostly been in small-town weeklies from the Rocky Mountains to the Mississippi River. He first stint in Creston was from 2002 to 2005.