People either love it or hate it, says Joni Munro.
The manager of Maser’s Grooming and Pet Boutique on Northeast 181st Street in Kenmore is talking about comments she’s heard on the new, 10,000-square-foot Kenmore Library being built across the parking lot from her store. Construction on the $8.4 million project, which broke ground June 8, is expected to be completed for a mid-July opening.
Brooke Fisher, King County Library System (KCLS) communications specialist, said that Greg Smith, director of facilities management services, informed her last week that construction is moving along as planned.
Munro says for now, things have been difficult with construction trucks tying up part of the roads near the lot that houses Maser’s and several other businesses.
“People are getting frustrated, (and don’t know) if they can actually come into the parking lot or go out of the parking lot. A lot of the people that come in here are elderly and have a hard enough time backing out of the parking lot,” said Munro, noting that road crews have to tell drivers to take a long detour around the block to enter the lot. “That’s a hassle. It is affecting business somewhat.
“The sooner, the better — get ‘er done,” she added about the library’s completion.
Sandra Long, owner of Kenmore Barber Shop across the street from the library, said things have been going smoothly for her business and workers and planners have been considerate during the build.
“It really hasn’t affected my business. They’ve been cooperative in trying to keep their trucks out of my parking area,” she said. “I think it’s a wonderful thing for Kenmore, and I’m looking forward to using the library.”
Munro said that while some people have told her they don’t like the building’s appearance, she think it looks fine. She also complimented the crew, which has been working nonstop and “they bust their buns 24-7 on the thing.”
The new library at 6531 N.E. 181st St. will replace the existing facility at 18138 73rd Ave. N.E. The price tag includes books, materials, computers, space for children and teens and a community meeting room.
Construction work that is currently under way at many KCLS libraries is aided by a $172 million capital bond supported by residents in September 2004. The KCLS Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) was developed through extensive community outreach, involvement and discussion prior to the election and includes enhancements for all KCLS libraries to meet community needs during the next decade.
One more thing that Munro approves of with the new library is its underground parking garage. When the post office was located across the parking lot from Maser’s, people frequenting that establishment would snag their parking stalls and deny their customers spots.
“We hope that people will use that (garage) and not plug up our parking,” she said. “We hope it will make more business for everybody.”
