By Patrick Crowley
The Cincinnati Enquirer

INDEPENDENCE - Mayor Chris Marconi is hoping to steer construction of a planned $7 million public library into the booming center of Independence.

But Marconi fears the Kenton County Library Board of Trustees favors a site just south of Independence in a less-populated area along Walton-Nicholson Road.

"It would be disappointing if the new library is built outside of the city," Marconi said. "It needs to stay in Independence where all the growth is. I would hate to see our city lose the library."

The Kenton County Library Board plans to close a branch at the Cherokee Shopping Center on Taylor Mill Road in Independence when the new larger library opens in about a year, board Chairman John Toelke said Monday.

Toelke confirmed Monday that the library board is considering the Independence and Walton-Nicholson sites and a contract to purchase the land could be signed this week.

"There are a lot of things to consider," Toelke said. "The (Independence) site is a beautiful spot. But the way the population is growing in the county, its heading south and we're trying to think ahead."

Marconi is touting property in the Independence Town Center, a shopping center that has also emerged as a location for government and other public buildings.

Land in and adjacent to the center is home to the new city building, a fire station, a police station, an amphitheater, a senior citizen center, park, grocery store, banks, restaurants and retailers.

It is also close to three schools, Marconi said.

"I couldn't think of a better place," he said. "It has become the center of town, and the library would be a natural part of that."

Toelke said there could be parking problems if a library is built there.

Library Trustee Milton Mains, who is heading up the site selection committee, said the sites are comparable in price though the Walton-Nicholson site is larger.

Marconi suggested a public hearing because tax dollars will be used to build the library.

Toelke said a hearing is unlikely.

"That would be a lot of screaming and hollering," he said. "What would that accomplish?"

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E-mail pcrowley@enquirer.com