Monroe library buys vacant building for $650,000

10/5/2006

MONROE - The Monroe County Library System has bought the vacant building at 840 South Roessler St. for $650,000 to serve as its administrative and support services headquarters.

The sale is contingent on the positive outcome of an environmental assessment survey that looks for any severe contamination on the site or major asbestos problems, said Nancy Colpaert, the library system's executive director.

Personnel based in the Ellis Reference and Information Center will be moved to the new site, said Bernie Smith, the library's public relations officer.

The library system's board of trustees agreed in August to spend about $2 million to create the administrative offices and reallocate space in the Ellis center. The library has hired TMP Associates, of West Bloomfield, Mich., as the project's architect. The firm will study the old building to see how the space can be used differently, Ms. Smith said.

The library is seeking funding from the Monroe County Building Authority to fund the purchase and complete the renovation work, Ms. Colpaert said.