MH Renaissance draws up new floor plans to ease library concerns

The proponents of a new cultural centre in Moncton say they've redesigned the layout of the building to accommodate concerns of librarians and officials with the MonctonPublic Library about moving into the space.

MH Renaissance Inc., the developer, wants the city to move the library from its downtown location into the former Moncton High School to be an anchor tenant in the proposed $21-million cultural centre.

The library's board of directors is opposed to the idea.

In May, Dianne Ross, the board president,said the two-floor, rectangular shape of the current location is preferable to the space for the library in the MonctonHigh proposal.

"It's obviously not a suitable space and it's not an improvement," said Ross.

Floor plan redesign

Dennis Cochrane, the MH Renaissance spokesman,said Tuesday the floor plan has been redesigned.

"We actually had the architect redesign the main floor of the building toaccommodatethe library's concern," said Cochrane.

"So we'd like to think that we finally took their list of concerns andaccommodatedour plans and made some changes so that they would now feel comfortable."

CBC News has requested the updated floor plans from MH Renaissance Inc.

On Tuesday, the library posted a document on its website outlining its continuing concerns with the proposed move.

Concerns with the space available in the high school continue to be cited:

• The library would be placed in less functional space with columns in sets of two every 12 to 15 feet and walls, blocking sight lines and creating obstacles in designing accessible library spaces.
• No room to expand exists even though libraries that are relocating do so with a 25- to 50-year plan for expansion.
• The square footage available in the high school is smaller than the current space downtown.

Public presentations

The developers took their plans for the building to the public Tuesday, stagingpresentations to inform people about the proposal.

"We felt it was time that we went out to the public and showed them what the project would look like, what kind of construction plans, what the architectural design would look like, and also very importantly, explain to them the budget," said Cochrane.

"We felt it was really a chance to get some input, get some feedback."

Most in attendance at one of the hourly sessions Tuesday appeared strongly in favour of the proposal.

When a woman objected to moving the library from downtown, some audience members and Cochraneresponded with arguments in favour of moving it.

• Province will not act unilaterally to move Moncton Public Library
• Poll finds 'strong majority' support moving Moncton Public Library
• Library board wants Moncton public library to stay put

"I think this is the most exciting thing that I've seen come along forMonctonin years," said retiree Ron Davis of Riverview.

"They're preserving a heritage building that can never be replaced."

LillianMacMellon, the chair of theMonctonHeritage Preservation Review Board,said Tuesday's presentation "really answered a lot of questions for a lot of us."

"There were a lot of questions about the library being moved," she said.

"But now that we've seen the presentation and where it's going to be and what it's going to look like, it's very exciting."

The project still requires the support of city.

No decision will be made on the proposal to move the library until the company's business plan has been reviewed, said city manager Jacques Dub in May.

No timeline has been set to make a decision, although Dub said the city would like to see the analysis of the business case completed by the end of the year.