On December 13, 2007, Cheryl A. W. Musgrave, Commissioner for the department of Local Government Finance denied the library’s request for a $1,950,000 bond issue to construct space at the KHCPL South to house the Outreach Department (bookmobiles) and the Collection Management Department. This expansion of the KHCPL South was the first phase of a 3-prong building program which included building a new main library north of Kokomo-Center Township’s Central Middle School and the expansion of the KHCPL Russiaville. Both buildings are experiencing crowded conditions. With the denial of the bond issue, planning regarding a library building program has stopped.

View Ms. Musgrave’s letter

At the July 23rd library board meeting, the board accepted Mike Montgomery’s design development report for the KHCPL South addition. Additionally, the board voted to accept the preliminary bond and additional appropriation resolution authorizing the library to proceed with a $1,950,000 bond issue to finance the east wing of KHCPL South. The tax impact would be $2.63 per year for property assessed at $50,000, $5.23 per year for property assessed at $100,000, and $7.89 per year for property assessed at $150,000. The bond would be for a duration of 12 years.

• Images from the Design Development Report
• Design Development Report, page 4

• Feasibility chairperson, Susan Luttrell presented "The Rationale for Selection of the Central Middle School Parking Lot as the Potential Site for a new Downtown Library" at the board meeting on Monday, June 25. View the Rationale

• On May 21, 2007, the library board voted to expand the South Branch by 25,500 square feet. Public service space for adult and children’s materials will be enlarged and the Outreach and Collection Management Departments will be moved from the Main Building. This expansion project is expected to be completed by the beginning of 2009. View Proposed Site Plan

• Interior and Exterior designs of the KHCPL South expansion were presented at the KHCPL board meeting on Monday, April 30 by architect Mike Montgomery. View Designs

• The Library Board voted to purchase a parcel of land totaling 3/10 of an acre directly east of the present KHCPL South Branch. The triangular piece of land borders Albright Road. The acquisition of this land will be beneficial in the planned expansion of the KHCPL South Branch.

• The KHCPL Board voted to accept the System Facility Study presented at the January 22nd meeting and the Project Schedule presented at the February 20th called meeting. See corresponding updates below to view documents.

• 2006 Proposed Project Schedule
  During the called February 20th board meeting, Mike Montgomery presented proposed Project Schedule. View Schedule

• 2006 System Facility Study
  At the January 22nd board meeting, Mike Montgomery presented the 2006 System Facility Study. Click here to view this presentation.

• Letter to the Editor from KHCPL Board Vice-President, Susan Luttrell
  “Latest release in non-fiction” appeared in the Kokomo Tribune on Monday, January 15, 2007. The letter also appeared in the Kokomo Perspective on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 titled, “Non-fiction version of library board’s progress." Read the Letter

• Message from KHCPL Board President, Susan Luttrell
• Library Authorizes a System Study of the three KHCPL branches
• "The Library Board has authorized the Library to forbear from considering any other downtown projects for six (6) months while Prince|Alexander completes a full proposal for the Library to consider." - more details
• Press Release from City Development Strategies
• Prince|Alexander - Seven Towers Center Master Plan
• Prince|Alexander - New Urban Mall Concerned Parties
• Kokomo Tribune article - "Library plans back at step one"
• Kokomo Perspective article - "Plans for downtown Seven Towers Center unveiled with library proposed as tenant"