Topping $18 million, the proposed Dublin branch library is second only to the Main Library as the most expensive of 10 libraries being rebuilt or renovated by Columbus Metropolitan Library.

It also is proving to be the most complicated and contentious.

The Dublin City Council voted unanimously Monday night to approve the basic plan and move the project along, but added some conditions in a 5-2 vote. That means construction could begin later this fall and possibly open by 2019 once a final plan is approved in the months to come.

The decision to move ahead, after more than three hours, did not come easily.

Councilwoman Chris Amorose Groomes objected to the building's height, calling it "an object on a podium."

"It just seems just a shame to have such consternation over a design ... that could have been avoided with more time," said Councilwoman Christina Alutto.

"I have bounced back and forth on this a lot," said Mayor Gregory Peterson, who wants more concrete conditions asked of the library but still cast his support.

While there have been critics of the modern glass design of new libraries, most, in urban areas, are the new normal.

The projects are funded by more than $130 million in bond sales meant to modernize the library system and create more usable space for meetings, homework help and literacy initiatives.

Dublin's branch has been complicated by real estate negotiations between the library system, the city of Dublin and Dublin City Schools. A shared parking garage and library which doubles the size of the existing branch are a focal point of larger development east and west of the Scioto River.

But the design itself, in the city's historic district, has brought concern. About a dozen people spoke at Monday's meeting.

Amy Kramb said the library "has disregarded our city code in their application, but city council should not. "They like what they designed and they don't want to re-do it."

Others responded this month in writing to an invitation by the library for comments.

"It is too modern and odd" wrote Linda Stephens. "It will be outdated and not stand the test of time."

Society focuses too much on "how things look instead of on what do we really need," wrote Kathy Windau, who said she's voted for every library levy in the past 40 years. "I will re-think my vote if this opulence continues."

Delays add up to $100,000 per month to construction cost, already about $2 million over budget, according to a recent library report.

"If we cannot move forward, while our commitment to Dublin remains, we may need to defer this project until our next building cycle and apply these resources to other pressing capital needs," wrote Patrick Losinski, library director, and Timothy Frommeyer, library board president.

Dublin resident Dave Dyer wrote that he doesn't want that: "Let's get off our collective duffs and get this project going."

Michael Berlin, an architect, thinks the see-through structure will "invigorate a rather dull and placid downtown into a dynamic and vibrant destination."

dnarciso@dispatch.com

@DeanNarciso