I am writing about the front page article of The Carrboro Citizen dated Sept. 16, 2010, “Commissioners postpone library discussion.†There does not seem to be a site owned by the county that would be appropriate or a site that could be leased or purchased for a location of the proposed Southwest Orange County Library.
Let’s think about this. The Town of Carrboro owns the future MLK park on Hillsborough Road. It is about 10 acres that the town does not have the funds to develop, and perhaps never will.
What if the town leased the land to Orange County for a $1 a year, the same arrangement as the land UNC leased to the Town of Carrboro for Fire Station #2 on Homestead Road? The county could then dedicate the funds raised, approximately $600,000 to date, for the design and construction of the branch. There would be ample space for parking, various other recreation activities and the community garden would probably not have to be moved. It’s on the bus line and easily accessible to the communities in White Cross, Dairyland Road, Homestead Road and the developing areas on Old N.C. 86.
I don’t think there is any ideal site, but this idea would get things rolling and, I feel, provide an intelligent solution to the stalemate that is frustrating so many of us. I think the Town of Carrboro should show good faith and “pay it forward.†Let’s get the library built!
LINDA BROWNER
Friends of the Carrboro Branch Library