COMMENTARY: Planning for New Public Library Not So Public

City promises opportunity for resident input (*eventually)

The current Williamsburg library is likely to be replaced in the coming years. (Image: George Arbogust, Williamsburg Independent)

At their scheduled meeting last week, the Williamsburg City Council officially selected a contractor to begin the inital planning for a new $26M public library. Certain terms of the project are still unknown, such as final design, cost and financial support from regional partners. But a statement by the City, indicates that “Phase 1” of the project is beginning, which will include public input in the form of “community meetings” conducted by the chosen contractor, Hourigan Construction.

Better late than never, but the City previously assured residents that their input would be sought in initial stages of the project, before the selection of the contractor. Yet, no such effort seems to have been made.

If the City is suggesting that we’re only now entering Phase 1 of this new library project, then I propose that the previous months of work should be considered…