Fraser library director says design and forecast work ongoing; earliest reopening estimated in 2028

Lorena McDowell, director of the Fraser library, told council the library board is continuing building inspections and reworking architectural plans after a review of updated financial numbers and bookkeeping. McDowell said the library has engaged consultants and is conducting mold and facility inspections as part of a renewed effort to match scope to available funding.

McDowell told council that revised architect drawings and a new financial forecast are in progress and that she hoped the library could return to council with more specific plans in September. She cautioned, however, that she did not have authorization to release some materials and said the library board would need to sign off on public release of certain forecasts. When pressed, McDowell said the earliest realistic return to a building could be in 2028 but declined to confirm a firm schedule.

Council members urged faster and clearer information sharing because the council must cosign any bond issuance. Several councilors said they wanted a transparent financial forecast as soon as possible, including figures on how much the library could bond and repay under the existing millage. Council asked McDowell and the city manager to be designated liaisons to ensure any updated forecasts and cost information are distributed simultaneously to council and staff.

McDowell said the library has updated its bookkeeping and is reviewing several architect options to fit the new scope. She asked the public and council for patience while the board finalizes options and said the board would share findings at an upcoming meeting.