Library narrows site search to two locations

OTTAWA - The new location for the Putnam County District Library has been narrowed to two sites.

During Tuesday's meeting, library board members indicated a final decision on a site would most likely occur during the August board meeting.

The two sites under consideration are four acres just west of the Educational Service Center on Putnam Parkway in Ottawa. The second site is four acres east of the Putnam Ambulatory Care Center along U.S. Route 224 in Glandorf.

"The board has narrowed the possible sites down from five possible locations," said Kelly Ward, library director. She said they have money in reserve that would pay for the costs to purchase the land.

Cost estimates to build a new library have been placed at $3.2 million not including the land or contents. The cost estimate for building repair and content at the Thomas Street location, which was damaged by flooding, and do the mitigation necessary to reopen is $3.18 million.

In the meantime the board is still in negotiations with CORSA, the county insurance, for damages to the building during the August flood. Because it was determined that part of the Thomas Street building is in a flood zone, the reinsurer has indicated the library is not-covered, because they did not have flood insurance.

The Ohio Library Council now is paying the fee for legal counsel on the issue.

Ward said the board is also considering a federal loan for a new structure, if they do not receive funding from CORSA.

"We've also received another denial on our appeal for money from" the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Ward said.

"No decision has been made about what to do with the existing structure on Thomas Street," Ward said. "We just know we are not going back to that site."