Lawrence, Kansas Public Library Reaches Prelim Deal to Move to Old Borders Bookstore Location During Construction

From The Lawrence Journal World:

Leaders of the Lawrence Public Library have reached a preliminary deal to open a temporary location in the former downtown Borders bookstore while a $19 million expansion of the library at Seventh and Vermont takes place during parts of the next two years.
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As proposed, the library would be able to make the move and still stay within the $19 million budget for the expansion, which was approved by voters in November 2010. Library leaders believe moving into the temporary location will actually reduce the total moving expenses budgeted for the project. That is because if the library stayed at it current location during the project, there would be at least eight moves taking place within the building.
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How long the library may be located in the Borders spot isn’t yet known. [Library Director Brad] Allen said the proposed lease is for 20 months. Architects are estimating it will take 18 to 22 months for the library project — which also includes construction of a parking garage — to be completed.
As proposed, the city will pay a lease rate of about $7 per square foot for the Borders building, which has been vacant since early 2011.

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