Members of the Five Points and Municipal Auditorium Steering Committee met Thursday to prepare for the future redevelopment of the city-owned site. The committee is comprised of city and county appointees as well as representatives from the public library, Valdosta State University and the Turner Arts Center. City Manager Larry Hanson facilitated the meeting.

Members of the Five Points and Municipal Auditorium Steering Committee held their second meeting Thursday morning to discuss future plans for new community facilities and to elect officers.

Valdosta city manager Larry Hanson summarized the previous meeting, which he explained was mainly used for members to familiarize themselves with the project and each other.

“It is an exciting process, a process we expect will take about a year, but we are going to take our time and work through this methodically to make sure we make good, sound long-term planning decisions,” said Hanson. “This is going to be a community-driven, citizen-driven process.”

Members then nominated a chairman and vice-chairman, but not before Nancy Warren suggested Ed Crane be nominated as an honorary chairman.

“He is somebody that has contributed more to this community than anyone I can think of,” said Warren.

Members spent about ten minutes deciding on whether or not such a position was necessary, before Warren ultimately withdrew her proposal.

Members voted to appoint Bob Goddard to serve as chairman and Lou McClendon to serve as Vice-Chairman.

Committee member and Chairman of the Library Board Kay Harris introduced Kelly Lenz, director, South Georgia Regional Library, and updated the group on the progress the board has made over the last several years in preparation for a new building.

 

Lenz presented a power point discussion to highlight issues with the current library facility and plans that have been considered for a future facility.

According to Lenz, the current facility is landlocked as a result of South Georgia Medical Center expansion and is unable to improve facilities or add parking spaces for patrons. Also, she commented that the current 32,000 square feet and one and a half books per capita resident do not meet state standards for library operations. Another problem is the inability for the facility to connect with a high-speed T1 Internet line.

“We’ve become a victim of our own success,” said Lenz. “Lowndes County is a growing community. Our library is not large enough to accommodate our citizens.”

During the presentation, photos illustrated the crowded work space for staff members and the inability to adequately house patrons during library events, such as the children’s storytelling sessions.

According to Lenz, the library served 250,000 unique patrons last year, with a total of 270,000 borrowed materials. There are currently 75 available parking spaces, which she said often forces visitors to park on the grass or in other areas. She estimates 250-300 citizens are served everyday at the main branch on Woodrow Wilson.

Future plans include a new 62,000 square foot library at an estimated cost of $21 million dollars, with a completion date of October 2016. Sources of funding include SPLOST, state library grants, the sale of the current facility to SGMC, and funds raised from individual donors.

Possible inclusions at the new facility could include a coffee shop, community garden, teen and children rooms, additional meeting spaces and self checkout kiosks for materials.

“Libraries revitalize the surrounding areas and economic development is increased because of a more educated citizenry, which would translate into a higher paid workforce,” said Lenz. “You can’t judge a book by it’s cover, but you can judge a community by it’s library and our citizens deserve a great library as ours is bursting at the seams.”

Lenz also offered members the opportunity of a guided tour of the current library facility.

Hanson then presented information about events that are currently housed at Mathis City Auditorium and preliminary plans for the future municipal auditorium.

“That building was a very good facility that has served this community well for many, many years,” said Hanson.

Some of the items for the future facility include multiple multi-purpose rooms, separate air conditioning units, building-wide sound capabilities, more restrooms, better handicap accessibility and seating for approximately 1,200 guests.

Staff estimates the price will range from $15 million to $20 million dollars and about $250,000 for planning and design of the building.

Members discussed the opportunity to look at the auditorium facilities from other areas of comparable size.

City engineer, Pat Collins, informed members that they would need to divide into sub-committees of a Funding and Operations Committee and a Request for Qualifications. Staff recommended that representatives from similar backgrounds or organizations split into different groups to provide well-balanced perspectives.

Members will meet again on August 28 at 5 p.m. to review prospective engineering and design firms for the redevelopment project, along with October 13 at 10 a.m. City Council members will vote to approve the contract at their October 20 regular session.

 The Five Points and Municipal Auditorium Steering Committee meets at the City Hall Annex multi-purpose room. The public is invited to attend.