Buzz is building surrounding the possible relocation of the Emily Carr library branch across the street into Uptown.
A busy open house held last Saturday at the library drew crowds of people, plus a steady stream of feedback online, said Lynne Jordon, deputy CEO of the Greater Victoria Public Library.
B次元官网网址淧eople love their library. And this one is a long-standing branch that has been located there for 40-plus years. We know thereB次元官网网址檚 going to be a lot of interest in any relocation,B次元官网网址� Jordon said.
The tentative plan is to move the library into a 5,000-square-foot space on the upper level of Uptown, overlooking Blanshard Street.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 very exciting for us. It would be a great addition to the emerging hub that is Uptown,B次元官网网址� said Geoff Nagle, director of development for Morguard Investments, which owns and operates Uptown. B次元官网网址淗aving public amenities like a library right in with the other amenities B次元官网网址� the plaza, coffee shops, all the things people can do in one trip B次元官网网址� is a great synergistic use.B次元官网网址�
Jordon said library patron feedback so far has been mixed.
B次元官网网址淲e have lots of people who are enthusiastic about relocating. And we had a similar number, the day of the open house, who indicated they donB次元官网网址檛 shop at Uptown and would not been as keen to have the branch located there,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淪ome people felt access would not be improved B次元官网网址� particularly families walking or biking to the location.B次元官网网址�
Nagle said UptownB次元官网网址檚 central location, at the junction of the Lochside and Galloping Goose trails, makes it a perfect space for a library.
As it currently stands, the Emily Carr branch, at the corner or Saanich Road and Blanshard Street, is B次元官网网址渙ld and outdated,B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址減oorly configuredB次元官网网址� and B次元官网网址渋naccessible for wheelchair users,B次元官网网址� Jordon said.
In terms of cost, Uptown would lease a new space at market rates. Jordon said Saanich would need to decide if leasing would be more cost effective than upgrading B次元官网网址渋nefficienciesB次元官网网址� in the current building
Users can provide feedback on the library relocation until March 18 by visiting , or by emailing ljordon@gvpl.ca. The next step will be to have the Greater Victoria library board weigh feedback before making a decision.
In terms of retail and commercial vacancies at Uptown, Nagle said B次元官网网址渆very space in the centre is under some form of negotiation.B次元官网网址�
The 38,000 square foot space left vacant by Best BuyB次元官网网址檚 departure last month is currently being sought after by three companies, he noted.
kslavin@saanichnews.com
