Van Buren library progressing to January opening
by October 19, 2010 7:16 am 69 views
story by Marla Cantrell
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At the Monday (Oct. 18) meeting of the Van Buren City Council, aldermen approved a resolution to renew the 3.4 millage tax for the library through the end of 2011.
Mayor Bob Freeman took the opportunity to update the council on the progress on the new facility.
“The construction is right on schedule, with an estimated completion date of January 15,” Freeman said.
The $3.4 million, 19,000-square-foot library at 15th and Main was 85% complete when a fire erupted inside the building in September 2008. Months of legal wrangling followed after the general contractor shut its doors, and two insurance companies worked to sort out how much they owed the city. Construction resumed in July.
Danalene Porter, director of the Van Buren Library, was at the council meeting.
“We’re really excited about the progress,” Porter said. “We’re working on our opening day collection and getting ready to move. Our library is extremely busy. We have an average of about 400 people use our services every day.”
The council also approved a resolution to buy three Ford Crown Victorias from Landers Ford for the Van Buren Police Department, at a cost of $23,588. Also approved was a measure which allowed the police department to donate a 2003 Crown Victoria, valued at $20,300, and an overhead camera, valued at $3,900 to the Dyer Police Department.
The city is also pursuing a $50,000 Arkansas Community and Economic Grant to improve drainage at Drennen and 11th Streets. Freeman estimated the cost of the project will be $250,000.
A new crosswalk near the Frisco Depot is being installed, the first of 13 that will be added to the historic district. The cost will be approximately $1,000 per crosswalk. A four-way stop is also being installed downtown to help the flow of traffic.
Freeman also announced that the city had been named a Volunteer Community of the year by the Governor’s office and the DHS Department of Tourism.
“There are 500 cities and towns in Arkansas,” Freeman said, as he thanked those who volunteer, “and 15 or less get this award.”
The next meeting of the Van Buren City Council will be held Nov. 15.