At its November 14 meeting, City Council set a public hearing for December 12 at 7:00 pm in Council Chambers, 37 Green St, to receive input on establishing a new Penacook Branch Library and Community Center, by appropriating $1,300,000 for the acquisition of real estate to be developed at 76 Community Drive. Documents related to the public hearing are available here. If you wish to provide input but can't attend the meeting you can send your comments to cityclerk@concordnh.gov.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of converting 1,080 square feet of space at the former Penacook Police Station at 3 Merrimack St. to house the Penacook Branch Library. It's a cozy and charming space, however, the City is faced with potentially $900,000 of total estimated renovation costs to the building, which even if repaired would still have limitations as to size, accessibility, and parking. There has been an ongoing but unsuccessful search for property acquisition suitable for a branch move. There have been public input meetings and much discussion over the past several years as to the preferred path forward. The community has consistently expressed interest in maintaining a bricks and mortar branch, rather than a bookmobile or temporary structure.
The current proposal is for the City to own about 1,470 square feet of space to house the library, and for meeting space and public use. Included would be kitchen facilities and bathrooms. If approved, the City Manager would enter into a purchase and sale agreement with the Boys and Girls Club of Central NH to acquire a portion of the new building to be constructed. Also included is authorization to sell 3 Merrimack St., which is assessed for $330,900, with a deed restriction to ensure that the historic 1899 building would be preserved. To accommodate parking for a new use, a small, vacant City lot at Sanders and Merrimack Streets, assessed at $16,600, would also be sold.