Meeting today discussed future of Youngstown West Side library branch

YOUNGSTOWN — Relocating the West Side public library branch to the former ice rink warming house in Mill Creek Park would be nearly $400,000 cheaper than renovating the current library at 2815 Mahoning Ave., an architectural firm told the library trustees’ buildings and sites committee this morning.

Renovating the current 1928 branch, which has a 1964 addition, would cost more than $1.6 million; but renovating and expanding the 1966 warming house at the James L. Wick Recreation area off McCollum Road would cost slightly more than $1.2 million, Frank Rulli, a senior associate with Faniro Architects Inc., told the committee.

The Faniro report, commissioned by the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, concluded that the warming house offers “a more efficient use of space” and would entail lower future operating and maintenance costs than the current library.

“The partnership with Mill Creek MetroParks would offer the opportunity for expanded programming and shared costs that would benefit the neighborhood,” the report said.

For the complete story, read Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com