By Gary Lloyd
TRUSSVILLE — The city of Trussville is now moving quickly toward an expansion of the Trussville Public Library.
City officials met with Joel Blackstock on Dec. 17, the architect with Williams Blackstock Architects, to go over design plans for an expansion of the library that will include the demolition of the John C. Yarbrough Community Center.
“We kind of put them on the fast track,” said Trussville City Councilman Buddy Choat.
Choat said he hopes the final designs of the expansion are done in January so that the city can then have a bid package ready.
Mayor Gene Melton said the project will consist of tearing down the community center to make room for a new facility, while also rehabbing the current library building and tying the two together. The project may also make way for additional parking.
“They’re packed tight over there,” Melton said of space inside the library.
Melton said the plans could include a storm shelter for residents of the Cahaba Project.
In August, the Trussville City Council authorized Melton to sign a professional services agreement for $230,000 with Williams Blackstock Architects for the design of the renovations and additions to the library, construction documents, bid documents and construction administration.
Trussville Public Library Director Emily Tish has said an expansion could include a 250-seat auditorium, administrative offices, a Friends of the Library bookstore and meeting rooms, among other things. She said Story Time and other events at the library currently take up space in the center of the library.
The Trussville Public Library building on Parkway Drive was dedicated in 1965 by then-Mayor John Yarbrough. In 1988, the library underwent a substantial renovation when it added a children’s room. In 1996, the library was temporarily relocated to two classrooms in the John C. Yarbrough Community Center while another major renovation took place. That renovation entailed a remodeling of the existing structure and an addition that doubled the library’s size. The newly renovated library opened in November 1997 and was dedicated on May 17, 1998.
The John C. Yarbrough Community Center was purchased by the city in 1951.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.