Board receptive to county proposal to use Myrtle Grove site for West Side public library; staff to evaluate conveyance options

Board members discussed a county commissioner’s proposal to use district-owned land at the corner of Lillian Highway and 50 Seventh Avenue — the former Myrtle Grove Center site — for a West Side public library and an adjacent child activity area.

Board member Paul Fetzko said county Commissioner Koehler had approached the district about a partnership to create a West Side library and related play/splash features for young children. Fetzko said the site had been vacant for a long period and that the district had previously considered other uses, such as a bus barn.

Several trustees supported exploring the idea but urged due diligence. Operations staff said the district typically includes an intended-use reversion clause when conveying land to another public body so that property reverts to the district if the intended public use ceases. Trustees asked staff to obtain an appraisal to determine market value and to pursue a conveyance or partnership structure (including a reversion clause) rather than an outright donation without conditions.

Superintendent Dennis confirmed district staff would coordinate with the county and legal counsel to investigate conveyance options, appraisal costs and any nominal purchase price that would allow county funds to be directed to construction. Trustees noted successful prior conveyances with intended-use language and said a library two blocks from Myrtle Grove Elementary could serve students and neighborhood residents during non-school hours.

No formal motion was made. Staff were directed to contact the county, obtain an appraisal, and prepare recommended conveyance language or partnership options for board consideration at a later meeting.