The Library Commons project planning is proceeding at a rapid pace.  HKP Architects presented a preliminary design plan at an Aug 4, 2021 City Council study session.  The video link below is a TV10 production of the full study session which went for over an hour and included not only the Commons project but also the planning for future fire department needs.  The building itself is described from about the 6:00 minute to 12:00 minute mark in the video.   The architects consider this design to be about a 50% completed schematic with completion expected this fall.

​Links
8/4/21 Council Session:  https://youtu.be/RgVQTsfGoJQ

July 2021 Update from HKP:  https://www.mountvernonwa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12898/Library-Commons-Update?bidId=

​City Page with Links to All Project Related Documents:  https://www.mountvernonwa.gov/933/Mount-Vernon-Library-Commons-Project

The City has selected the firm that will develop the detailed designs and engineering specifications for the new Library Commons!  HKP Architects were chosen after a detailed review of statements of qualifications submitted by a number of firms.  HKP will be working with a number of partners who have experience with parking garages and other libraries.  This agreement still needs to be finalized with a contract and approval by Council, but it does mean they should be able to start work hopefully later in May.

Thank you to the entire Mount Vernon community for your support of the 2021 Library Giving Day!  We raised $3300 in donations which will be equally allocated across the three programs-1000 Books Before Kindergarten, Lego® Boost Robotic Kits and the Family Science Backpacks.  Thirty-five generous donors helped to make this a success.

​This past Wednesday in the MV City Council study session, the council agreed to allow the Mayor to enter a purchase option for the proposed Library Commons site at 208 Kincaid St, across from the county courthouse.  The City and Skagit County have been in discussion on this matter since March 2018 and thanks in part to efforts on the part of newly elected Commissioner Peter Browning a purchase agreement is now close to finalization.  A purchase price of $353,000 has been agreed, along with some corrections to rights-of-way in that area.
The Mayor also outlined a possible funding plan which would assemble the approximate $40 million required for the combined parking garage, library and community meeting center.  There are still elements of this to be worked out, but about half of the amount could be secured by a councilmatic bond which the city can put in place without a vote.  This is because the City has almost no debt obligation and there is a $500,000/year inflow from the Local Infrastructure Financing Tool  (LIFT) Program which basically redirects sales taxes paid to the state back to Mount Vernon.
Securing the site allows the next steps to take place which involves engaging an architectural and engineering company to come up with more specific plans and to verify what will be needed to build on that location.  Commencing engineering work also will enable the City and the Foundation to begin securing grant funding from a number of sources.
These are definite positive steps forward and we can begin to see this project finally start to take shape.  The Skagit Valley Herald had a nice front page article on Friday that recapped the meeting.  More to come!