Renton City Council To Receive Library Briefing

members will receive a update on the future of the downtown and highlands libraries on Monday at 5 p.m. at . The briefing is for informational purposes only, and although members of the public may attend, anyone wishing to comment on the issue must wait until the City Council meeting at 7 p.m.

The issue at stake is a joint  to move the downtown from its current location over the Cedar River to the former Big Five building near the corner of South 3rd Street and Logan Avenue South near the Transit Center.

The original announced was made on March 8.

At last Monday's City Council meeting five people raised concern over the relocation of the downtown library. Their major concerns centered around safety, accessibility, cost and downsizing to a smaller facility.

At the end of last year, the city pulled security patrol from the transit center; however, the police department is currently working to upgrade the video monitoring system. In April, a .

"I want the Council to reject the plan to relocate our library," said Shelby Smith of Renton, who has vowed to start a "citizens campaign" to keep the library in its current location.

No everyone is opposed to the move. One man, a downtown business owner, spoke in favor of relocation effort.

"If we have to move, this is the perfect place and the perfect time," said Rich Sweeney. "We have a chance to get rid of a so-so building and replace it with a gem."

Although the City announced that it had entered into a purchase and sale agreement for the Big 5 Corporation's property at 508 South 3rd Street, the City has not officially purchased the property.

City funds that would have been spent to operate the Renton Library System have been set aside to assist in the funding of the new downtown library, which is expected to open by late 2012 or early 2013. Sources for the remaining funding have not yet been finalized.