Library supporters highlight the $1.35 million fundraising goal of the library foundation. Part of the library funding will come from a bond issue approved by voters in 2007. Photo by Mike Reeder

By Linda Byrne
Editor

The dream of a new public library moved a step closer to reality last week when the Boerne City Council on Sept. 23 voted unanimously to hire an architect to design a new $8.5 million facility.

Under the terms of a contract with O’Neill, Conrad and Oppelt, a 25,000-square-foot library will be designed to occupy a 15-acre site near the intersection of Main Street and Johns Road.

Boerne residents will have ample opportunity to share their ideas for a 21st century library with the architects, said City Planning and Community Development Director Chris Turk.

“There will be a minimum of three public input sessions for the design of the library. Mr. Conrad has suggested that the first one be a rather large forum or session where we talk about the actual siting of the library and other buildings on the (city) campus,” Turk said at the meeting.

The council voted to seek Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification at the silver level for the building. LEED points are issued by the U.S. Green Building Council.

According to recommendations provided in June by the Regional Urban Design Assistance Team, which offered suggestions for the library, green building features that could be incorporated into the facility are solar panels, rainwater harvesting and capture of condensation from the air conditioning system.

Turk said the LEED certification would add about $65,000 to the overall cost of the library.

According to city projections, the architects will be paid about $574,000 for their work.

Budget estimates peg the construction cost at $4.75 million. Landscaping and irrigation is projected to cost $150,000 and a water harvesting system is estimated to come with a price tag of $25,000 plus another $5,000 for its design. The budget also contains $60,000 for a stormwater detention system. Nature trails and an outdoor amphitheater could be included for $225,000.

Funding will come from a bond issue that voters approved last year and fundraising efforts of the Boerne Public Library Foundation.

Also at the Sept. 23 council meeting, City Council voted to explore purchase of a piece of property across from St. Helena’s Episcopal Church for a future extension of Johns Road into the new city complex.

Library Foundation Chairman Mike Morton addresses a crowd of library supporters at the Sept. 25 fundraising launch. Groundbreaking for the new library will be next spring. Photo by Mike Reeder