A new library for Billings was the big topic at Monday night's City Council work session.
The city council discussed three options, re-modeling the current building that houses the library, demolish the building and start from scratch, or relocate the library into the Gainan's building located at 502 North 30th Street in downtown.
The city would enter into a lease-purchase agreement that calls for the library to shell out $423,000 a year to Gainan's for 20 years. An addition would also be built to provide more office space for city employees.
Part of the project will be funded with stimulus funds in the form of American Recovery Bonds, which need to be secured by the end of the year.
Library officials are urging the council to move forward with the Gainan's option because it's cost effective and keeps the library in downtown Billings.
If the council gives the project the green light, a $23 million bond measure is expected to go before the voters this spring.
Council members will vote on the Parmly Library project on November 23rd and the estimated cost to taxpayers who own a $200,000 home, comes to about $17 a year.
