Quincy discusses land swap for library

School district and city could trade property

QUINCY - The Quincy School District and city discussed swapping land for a new library.

Quincy Mayor Jim Hemberry spoke to the school board Tuesday about the possibility of trading property next to Pioneer Elementary School. The city council has not made a decision about where to place the library, Hemberry said.

No action was taken at the meeting.

"It's a good time for us to at least explore it together," District Superintendent Burton Dickerson said.

The land owned by the district is in the northeast corner of the property, and the city owns adjoining land in the southwest corner, Dickerson said.

"We're exploring our options in terms of where we can cite a new facility," Hemberry told the school board.

The new library would be approximately 10,000 square feet in size, he said. The city council is divided on whether to build a one-story or two-story building, he said.

Hemberry noted the council might not agree to the swap, even if the school district decides it is a good idea.

One advantage for the school would be to have a library nearby, Hemberry said.

The city budgeted money in 2009 for a sidewalk, curb and gutter on Fourth Avenue, he added.

"If the city took over that corner, then the city would be doing all that sidewalk, curb and gutter," he said.

Dickerson said parking can be a challenge at the location, and officials need to ensure parking would not worsen with a library.

Hemberry said the entrance would likely be located off 4th Avenue, and the city would provide its own parking.

Pioneer Principal Donna Kiehn said she was initially under the impression the land swap proposal was in a different location.

"With it being on the other end, I think that's very, very doable," said Kiehn.

Kiehn said the city parking might provide extra parking spaces to families attending afterschool activities.