The Monroe County Public Library has identified three potential sites for a planned new branch on the southwest side of Bloomington.

Matheu Architects conducted a feasibility study, including public feedback, and released a report with the findings. The group looked at factors like accessibly through public transportation, utility service availability, and other community resources nearby.

The possible locations include Tapp Rd. between Weimer Rd. and I-69, Fullerton Pike/Gordon Pike near Batchelor Middle School, and State Rd. 45 and Curry Pike.

The library has not identified specific tracts of land, but the report says the new library will need at least five to six acres.

The report also includes a few potential building layouts that include the services community members indicated they wanted in a new branch.

Each plan includes more than 130 parking spaces, a children's play area, and outdoor areas like a contemplative garden, lawn amphitheatre and fitness/outdoor activity area.

One potential layout for the new library branch. (Bledsoe Riggert Cooper James)

These preliminary plans will be adjusted once a plot of land is finalized.

Constructing the new branch is projected to cost between $8.8 and $9.8 million. Annual operating costs are estimated at $675,000 a year.

MCPL will likely take out a bond to pay for construction, but operating costs will be covered by money saved over time, meaning county taxes won't be raised.

The library plans to purchase a site this year, start construction in 2021 and open the new branch in early 2022.

Monroe County has two library branches, one on Kirkwood Ave. in Bloomington and one in Ellettsville. The Ellettsville branch just reopened Monday after several months of renovation.

Read the full report:

Final Branch Planning Repor... by on Scribd