Centre Wellington councillors have approved the next chapter in the redevelopment of the Fergus library.
On May 13, council approved the downtown Fergus river land redevelopment plan as presented as well as the heritage permit for library renovations/alterations.
Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj said there were a number of local residents interested in the outcome. The mayor stressed the purpose of the night’s meeting was to look at the river land development and the heritage component of the new design.
“We’ll be looking at how to proceed with how the road is constructed, and its closure to allow construction to proceed, ” Ross-Zuj said.
A report to council from managing director of planning and development Brett Salmon noted that last August council approved in principle the redevelopment of the Fergus river land as part of the Fergus library expansion project.
He added that over the past eight months, staff from Wellington County and the township have refined the details of both the library expansion and the river land redevelopment.
County council approved the development and construction at its March 28 meeting.
The final design of the river land redevelopment includes a reconfigured Menzies Lane that provides vehicle access and service delivery access through township lands. The new configuration is designed to accommodate various vehicles, but at only four metres in width, will only allow traffic in one direction at a time.
The lane change means the footprint of the library was reduced, but the height of the rear addition is now three stories instead of two. Final designs still provide public areas, improved pedestrian access and a larger green space along the river.
Currently there are 68 parking spaces. The library expansion, combined with the redevelopment, will reduce that number to 31.
The concept plan reviewed by council in 2012 only reduced the number of spots to 34.
Some of those commenting on the proposal were Fergus BIA chair Jackie Fraser, Fergus business owner Steve Lund, Phil Brown and Thomas Homer-Dixon.
Fraser said more important than her position with the BIA is that she is a downtown business owner, downtown resident and “mother of two very curious girls who love their books.”
Fraser thanked Centre Wellington staff for its work with the County of Wellington. She added the county “has done a terrific job renovating and upgrading” its Carnegie libraries.
“I’m pleased that Fergus is next to benefit from this process, which will help transform the downtown into the gem it really should be,” Fraser said.
She contended the riverfront will come alive with the expanded green space and improved lighting.
“Our library will be the living room of downtown Fergus – the centre of our community,” she said.
She considered Fergus lucky to have the Grand River flowing through the downtown.
“It is time we capitalized on this asset … This project is an investment in downtown Fergus and the families who make it a great place to live, play and work.”
Lund had differing opinions.
“I’m here tonight to voice the community’s overwhelming opposition to the recommendations before you this evening,” Lund said.
He added the recommendations have proven repeatedly to be unwanted and unsubstantiated.
“Where is your evidence to support your case?”
He also asked if it is up to the county to determine the architectural criteria. He then pointed to the $5 million budget as he questioned why a 15,000 square foot facility was required – and “required by whom?”
Lund wanted to see the study showing the need for that size of facility. He maintained his information indicates declining physical attendance at libraries – and an increasing use of online services.
Lund said the reconfigured alignment of Menzies Lane “does not provide for safe service delivery access.”
Because the new lane will only accommodate traffic in one direction, traffic will be required to pull over onto the pedestrian zone to allow oncoming traffic to pass, Lund said, asking, “How is this safe?
He contended the three pedestrian access points to the area are unsafe now because of narrowness and poor site lines. Plus, the proposal creates no new pedestrian access, Lund said.
He asked if access to the riverfront will only be by car. Lund also questioned who had the authority to close Menzies Lane for special events.
Most of Lund’s argument was based on the need for the library rather than the plan for the riverfront development or the heritage aspects of the proposal.
He continued to question the need for a 15,000 square foot library in Fergus. Lund stated that even if there was a need for a library that size in Centre Wellington, he said the location in downtown Fergus could not be justified.
Though the library has been touted as a means to revitalize downtown Fergus, “I submit to you that this is an insult to the business community.”
He asked if there were empty storefronts in the downtown or a lack of services.
“We have a multitude of successful businesses in downtown Fergus,” Lund said. He also asked for the removal of comments suggesting the project had the support of the majority of BIA members.
“It has been documented that a clear majority of the BIA members are opposed to the project. The only support is in a handful of BIA board members – not the membership.”
Lund said he was providing council with 300 signatures opposed to the project.
“These business owners are the heart and soul of the downtown,” he said. He added there were 400 signatures in an online petition from those who were clearly opposed.
Lund then pointed to coverage of the issue in the local press and the dozens of letters to the editor opposed to the project. He also failed to see how a 10,000 square foot glass addition is sympathetic to the heritage architecture of the downtown.
Lund said if this was such a noble initiative, the majority of people would not remain silent in their support.
Lund continued to question the proposed 50% reduction in parking capacity, as well as the financing of the project.
“It is inconceivable to vote on these issues tonight,” Lund concluded.
Phil Brown, like Fraser, spoke in support of the library project and the realignment of Menzies Lane. He said his motivation dates back to the era in which he moved to Fergus, when his children spent many hours participating in the children’s programs at the library.
“When I learned of the planned expansion, I was pleased to know there were others who shared my belief in the value of libraries … which are within walking distance of most of the population of Centre Wellington.”
Brown said the Fergus library was one of the first places he allowed his children to walk to from Union Street.
“It was a safe place they knew how to get to.”
He said consultations with the library board resulted in significant alterations to the plans for the proposed library so that Menzies Lane would no longer be blocked.
“Personally I think the changes are an important improvement because it acknowledges some of the neighbour concerns,” said Brown.
He added the size is also important “because that is exactly what is needed for the tens of thousands of children who will have the opportunity to use this facility over the next century.
“History has shown that when you undertake a venture like this, it is better to go big.”
He asked if anyone today thought the Fergus sportsplex is too large – or the new high school. He also noted that all across Centre Wellington there is new construction and subdivisions.
Brown thanked council for its fortitude in moving the issue forward.
Homer-Dixon agreed the project represents a momentous decision for the community.
“I think this is a decision for the century and will impact the area for a long time,” said Homer-Dixon.
He agreed it was not an easy decision in a time of fiscal restraint when there are those in the community experiencing financial difficulty.
“There may be a desire to reign things in, but the world is changing so fast I don’t think over-caution is the best policy.”
Homer-Dixon said there needs to be wisdom, vision and courage.
“For communities of the future to be successful, they need to be knowledge-based communities. Education will be one of the most important attributes.”
He said “for communities to become knowledge intensive, they need to have a place at its centre where ideas flourish.”
He added vision is not about the next few years, but generations ahead.
