September 28, 2010
Tuesday AM

Ketchikan voters voiced overwhelming support for a new library in the August special election by voting nearly 2-1 to allow the building to be built anywhere within the city limits. That vote cleared the way to purchase the recommended property on Copper Ridge at the top of the Third Avenue bypass.

With the location now secured, voters on Oct. 5 now need to approve a portion of the funding for construction. City Proposition 3 authorizes the City Council to issue up to $5.2 million in general obligation municipal bonds. Doing so will fulfill one of several requirements to qualify for the 50/50 matching state grant funding from the state.

We couldn't be in a better position to build an affordable library at less than half the full cost of the project. To qualify for the 50/50 matching funds in this next legislative cycle, Ketchikan needs to:

• Acquire the property - the purchase agreement is signed and the deal is expected to close by Oct. 8.
• Be at 35% design - the architects are well on their way to doing this.
• Document that we have a funding plan in place - Approving Proposition 3 on Oct. 5 will accomplish this.

The powerful results of the August special election illustrate just how dear to our hearts our local library is to so many people. Let us vote "yes please" one more time to bring a new, affordable library building to reality.

Heidi Ekstrand
Ketchikan, AK

Received September 27, 2010 - Published September 28, 2010

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