Editorial: Go to Dexter for example of a 30,000-square-foot library

The Belleville Area District Library Board met Tuesday and considered Options A, B, and C for a 30,000-square-foot-library in downtown Belleville. This is down from the 45,000-square-foot library on the lake turned down by voters.
Options A and B are two-story additions to the present library which was built in 1953 and 1992. Option C is a new, two-story building set on Fourth Street and the present municipal parking lot, with parking to the east.
That option relies on the closing of Fourth Street and architect Dan Whisler envisions a green space with a fountain along Fourth up to Main leading to the library entrance. Or, maybe just angle parking on both sides of Fourth up to the library site.
The owner of the business next door to the library came in to offer her building for sale for $200,000. The 83.5’x 165’ parcel is just to the east of the library and all of the options need that property for parking.
On Friday, library officials plan to meet with the Belleville mayor, city manager, DPW chief and building official to discuss the options and find out how they feel about closing Fourth Street.
A special library board meeting is set for 7:30 p.m., Nov. 24, to report on what the city says. And, everyone is urged to go to Dexter to see the 30,000-square-foot library there. Reportedly, it’s a good example of what Bellevillle wants to do.