Proposed location for Charles City library raises concerns from citizens

After a November referendum for borrowing funds for the construction of a library in Charles City met approval by citizens, county supervisors instituted a plan and timeline for the building to be completed.

But now supporters of the library returned to county leaders during Tuesday evening’s regular board meeting expressing concerns over one of the locations where the facility could be constructed.

Five members of the public spoke about the rumored location of the facility on Courthouse Road across from Cul’s Courthouse Grille and the Nancy-Major house. According to those speakers, plans call for the construction to intertwine with refurbishing the Charles City Historic Courthouse.

“I want to see more of the proposal of the library and what it looks like such as the size and landscape,” said Bonnie Whitaker, owner of Cul’s Courthouse Grille. “From my understanding the rear of the building would be facing the road.

“I see a lot of tourists who pull into the restaurant and use more and more of the bike trail,” she continued, referencing how the Virginia Capital Trail runs past her property. “If the library is there it would take away from the trail.

“I just hope all of us can keep in mind the opinion of the citizens,” she concluded.

Wayne Orrell, who lives near the controversial location, commented about the citizens’ input in the conversation.

“I think it’s appropriate that we have citizens comment on the issue,” he said. “Citizens voted on the referendum for the library and I know this board considers what the citizens say about how this building is done.”

Additional comments centered around the aesthetic view of the area, concerns on losing parking spots to the current courthouse, and the effect on cyclists on the bike path.

County leaders addressed the matter during board directives, saying that talks about the library’s location are ongoing and not finalized.

“It’s not a done deal,” said District 1 supervisor Gilbert Smith. “We are working with the library campaign and hopefully will come up with a recommendation for the site.”

“Whoever told you it was a done deal gave you the wrong information,” echoed District 2 supervisor Bill Coada. “We do have options and I am opposed to having it at that location.

“We are going to make this library a reality,” Coada concluded.

According to the library construction timeline handed out at the March regular meeting, construction for the facility is scheduled for summer 2017 with completion targeted by the summer of 2018.