Mariel Padilla

Cincinnati Enquirer

Library officials plan to close part of the Downtown library - potentially making an entire block of choice real estate available for development.

The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County will close its North Building Downtown, consolidating all services into the South Building later this year as part of a larger $54 million building plan.

Built only 20 years ago, the North Building currently houses the Children's Garden, Children's Learning Center, Homework Center, MakerSpace, TeenSpot, study areas and administrative offices.

The library's Board of Trustees approved the move June 13 after a study conducted by a consultant found that the South Building is big enough for all services.

More:Public library pursues $54 million plan - while at 'financial tipping point'

The library has not formally announced the move; The Enquirer filed public information requests that shed light on the closure and the reasons behind it.

One library staff member wrote to the leadership team on June 23: "Taxpayers are not going to be happy at all to find out after all that money was spent to build the place we are just abandoning it."

Library Director Kim Fender wrote in a responding memo to staff that the Board's decision was driven by customer service and operating efficiency.

"Some possible changes will greatly improve our services," Fender wrote. "Placing the Children's Learning Center in the same building as the (main stacks) will make using the Main Library easier for families. Plus, building maintenance and security will improve with the smaller footprint."

Several teenagers using the North Building's second-floor space told the Enquirer that they're fine with the move if they can continue to have access to the public computers.

The library doesn't plan on laying off any staff members during this move, according to Content Team Leader Angela Hursch.

The board is still deciding the future of the North Building. Options, according to library documents obtained by The Enquirer:

Sell the building;

Lease to retailers;

Create conference and meetings rooms.

The board also approved to move forward with a six-month pre-development agreement with the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC) at the June 13 meeting. The library will reimburse 3CDC up to $50,000.

According to the agreement, 3CDC will assist in the selling process, identifying potential developers and buyers.

The library added the North Building in 1997, spending $7.7 million for the block of land and $31.4 million on both the 156,000 square foot property construction, including four-story walkway over Ninth Street, and a South Building remodel, according to library staff.

The five-story property is 132,500 square feet and is valued at $8.48 million based on its location, according to CBRE, one of the largest commercial real estate firms in Cincinnati.

"It is pretty rare for a property that encompasses an entire city block to become available, although a couple recent deals have been done like the newly announced Kroger being only a stones' throw away," Michael Moran, CBRE senior vice president, said.

More:Kroger to build its first Downtown Cincinnati supermarket since 1969

This part of Downtown hasn't seen as much attention as the development at The Banks and Fountain Square or Over-the-Rhine. Moran said he hopes this could be an incentive to start looking at large-scale projects in the north part of Downtown.

"This area is more conducive to midrise development of five- to 10-story buildings rather than the high-rise projects that are expected on Fourth, Fifth and Sixth streets," Moran said. "It creates an opportunity for locally minded developers and end-users who are looking for an urban spot to plant their flag."

An Operation Center

In June, the Board approved the concept of an operations center that will support services at a separate facility, such as shipping and receiving, sorting, technical services, a virtual information center, marketing and facilities.

There has been no decision on location yet, but the goal is a central county location, according to a library memo.

The design and build process is expected to take 12 to 15 months, but the process will not begin until funding is identified.

"Our main library will be more convenient and easier to use while the new operation center will allow for effective and efficient operations," Fender said.