Ottawa needs brand new main public library, report says
New library would cost $86M, stretch 132,000 square feet, report says
The City of Ottawa should build a brand new main branch of the public library instead of renovating the current building, according to a staff report.
The report estimates a new library would optimally be about 132,000 square feet, cost $86 million and be no more than 400 to 600 metres from the new light rail transit line.
It would also hopefully be on city-owned property, the report said.
The report, posted online Tuesday, also suggests staff should obtain appraisals to find out the value of the current main library property at 120 Metcalfe St. and 191 Laurier Ave.
The city owns the property but it currently leases out the air rights, which makes it difficult to renovate.
In a related note, staff would also have to estimate the value of any private sector property rights that could block a plan for a new library.