With competitive bids for the renovation and expansion of the Walter E. Olson Memorial Library in Eagle River above what was anticipated, the Board of Trustees voted to recommend a complete change in direction in ownership and construction of the facility after rejecting all general contractor construction bids.
In a split vote, 9-1, the trustees will request the present owner, Town of Lincoln, to transfer ownership of the library and property to the Walter E. Olson Memorial Library Foundation for the purpose of building and renovation of the library on the site. The Foundation has raised about $1.3 million but bids came in ranging from $3.8 million to $4.1 million.
Library director Nan Andrews indicated events over the last two years have clarified their ability to guide their future. “We now have solid legal advice to go private,” Andrews said, referring to correspondence with their attorney. “Our ship got navigated down the wrong channel but we now can look at what can be done locally and what we can cut back on.”
Attorney Lawrence Bechler of Murphy-Desmond outlined events that would lead up to a new process.
“The Town of Lincoln would transfer ownership to the Foundation whose articles of incorporation allow it to hold, improve, and use real property. While its purpose is to benefit the Eagle River library, the Foundation is not subject to public bidding since it is not a governmental entity.”
Andrews pointed out no tax payer money would be used for purpose of building the library with “all being done by the Foundation.”
