LIBERTY LAKE, Wash. — Liberty Lake voters rejected a proposal for a new library and community center, voting against the multi-million dollar project in an advisory ballot measure this month.
The non-binding vote asked residents whether they supported funding and constructing a new library facility, but 55% of voters expressed opposition to the proposal that would have significantly expanded the current library’s capacity and services.
Library staff say the current facility faces serious space constraints that limit programming and services to the community.
“The biggest issue is going to continue to be space,” said Lynn Atkins, who works at the Liberty Lake Library. “We can’t increase the size of our children’s programming. We can’t increase the size of the children’s area, which we have so many people in. We’re above capacity in that area.”
The proposed designs included three different options, ranging from $12 million to $15 million. The new facility would have been built on city-owned land and featured much larger meeting rooms, a computer and podcast lab, and space for an expanded book collection.
Despite the vote results, city officials say the project could still move forward since the ballot measure was advisory only.
“We’ll have to see what the new council wants to do with respect to picking up that existing project and moving it forward, potentially reshaping it in some way, or starting from scratch and figuring out how to meet the needs of the community with respect to a library,” said Mark McAvoy, Liberty Lake city administrator.
Community concerns about the project centered on potential tax increases and alternative uses for the proposed site. Some residents suggested on social media that the land should be used for other amenities, such as a swimming pool.
The vote outcome creates uncertainty for library services moving forward. Atkins warned that without expansion, patrons may see a decrease in resources.
“I think it’s going to mean that our service level will go down,” Atkins said.
Two newly elected city council members recently indicated the vote results send a clear message from voters. One council member said the city should either return to the drawing board or explore new projects with broader community support.
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