Tuesday, March 14, 2000
Newport explores buying library at 4th and Monmouth
Building could be kept in public use
BY TERRY FLYNN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
NEWPORT — City Commission members voiced interest Monday night in acquiring the public library building at Fourth and Monmouth streets originally financed by the Carnegie Foundation.
City Manager Phil Ciafardini said he had discussed the rumored sale of the building with library board members and was told “officially, it is not on the market. However, I think the (library) board would very much like to see the city buy the building.”
He told commissioners at the regular Monday night meeting that the library board is pursuing another location in the city for a new library, which would require the sale of the older structure.
Library officials have acknowledged that there have been at least two purchase offers on the gray stone-and-brick structure, one of many public library buildings around the nation financed through the Carnegie Foundation in the 1930s. One was from businessman Wayne Carlisle. The offers were turned down.
City attorney Mike Schulkens said the Newport library is one of only a few of the Carnegie buildings in the country still being used as a library.
Commissioners Beth Fennell and Ken Rechtin both cited the possibility of obtaining Carnegie grants to help buy the building if it were available.
“I think it would be important for the city that the building remain in some type of public use,” Mr. Rechtin said.
Mr. Ciafardini and Commissioner Jan Knepshield mentioned a city museum, a river museum or a combination of both as possible uses for the structure. Mr. Ciafardini told the commission he would continue to pursue the issue and check on possible grants.
In other business Monday, the commission agreed with a recommendation from Mr. Ciafardini to hold off on a proposed change in the city water works rules and regulations. It would eliminate the option of tenants having water bills in their names rather than the owner of the property.
He said he wanted some time to further study the ramifications of such a change. Currently, a tenant can post a $75 deposit and have water bills issued to him, if the landlord agrees.
Water works director Frank Peluso recommended, however, that the deposit be increased from $75 to $150. “We feel it makes the tenant more responsible for the bill and takes away some of the pressure on the landlord,” he said. Commissioners agreed with the recommendation.
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