Cold Spring Says Yes to Building a New Library by Agreeing to Purchase Land

(KNSI) — After years of discussion, Cold Spring has taken a major step in building a larger library.

The city council approved buying a lot on the corner of 1st Street South and 3rd Avenue South for the 6,500 square foot facility. The lot will allow for a building more than three times the size of the current location inside city hall.

Councilman Mike Fall spoke with KNSI News immediately after the meeting and said it would be a huge asset to the community. “I’m told this is the second most used library in Stearns County. People do support it, there’s a Friends of the Library Club that does fundraising, they have book sales and do a lot of other things.”

Fall says it’s essential to build the facility right.

“To make a modern library, you almost have to start from scratch, because things are different now than they were 30 years ago. And so we need program areas and meeting space areas. And, and the ability to walk and bike and drive to this library is an important factor. And this is a good location. It’s in the center of town.”

The city bought the vacant lot from Cold Spring Granite Company for $1. The next step will be to start fundraising, which will take several years.

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