Tuesday, March 25, 1997
Recommendation to open storefront branch in
city's southwest to be made
By ANTHONY WILSON
Staff Writer
The Abilene Public Library may be branching out at Thursday's
Abilene City Council meeting.
The Citizens Library Review Panel will recommend the council
open a storefront branch in the city's southwest and that it add
hours on Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons at the central
library.
Mayor Gary McCaleb said Monday the council possibly will act
on the proposals Thursday.
Panel members, appointed by the mayor last year, agreed last
month to rush the recommendations to the council so action could
be taken quickly.
The group is still contemplating how to expand the 42,000-square-foot
main library. Two consultants on Saturday advised the panel to
move the operation to a renovated NationsBank Tower.
The panel suggests the city open an interim storefront branch
of 3,000-5,000 square feet in a visible, convenient, high-traffic
area such as the Mall of Abilene. The move is meant to generate
greater use and support of the library and to serve as a stepping
stone to a larger, permanent branch.
Panel members want a branch opened by year's end. Librarians
say they need at least six months to open the operation.
The group also recommends the downtown library remain open
until 9 p.m. on Wednesdays and that it be opened from 1-5 p.m.
on Sundays - reportedly a peak usage time.
Library officials say the hours could be extended within a
month of council approval.
The panel further suggested the city launch a public information
campaign to raise awareness of library services.
The council earmarked $200,000 last year for such improvements.
Also Thursday, the council will consider granting Zoltek Companies
Inc. a 10-year, 100-percent property tax abatement.
The Development Corporation of Abilene last week agreed to
a $4.8 million incentive package to lure Zoltek's carbon fiber
manufacturing plant to the Greater Abilene Industrial District.
In return, the company has agreed to deliver 250 jobs and invest
$56 million into its operation.
Zoltek is seeking a total abatement from city and county taxes
throughout its first decade here. The DCOA, the steward of the
half-cent sales tax, has agreed to reimburse each government 50
percent of the taxes. The city would be foregoing approximately
$650,000.
County commissioners will consider the abatement next month.
Zoltek will pay all of its Abilene school taxes.
Council members will also consider raising green fees at Maxwell
Municipal Golf Course. American Golf Corp., which manages the
course, requested a 10-percent rate hike, citing dwindling profits.
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Copyright ©1997,
Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications
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