Public libraries receiving State Aid in Florida are required to prepare Long Range Strategic Plans.  The City developed a 2014-2017 Strategic Master Plan (Plan) with input from stakeholders including the Library Advisory Board, Library staff, senior city management, City Council members and the general public. An analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats was used to assist in setting priorities. The Strategic Master Plan was adopted, Resolution 87-14, by the City on September 3, 2014.

The existing library was constructed in 1977 and has a number of chronic maintenance issues including water intrusion and the need for mold remediation.  The Plan, as adopted, established seven goals for the Library with the number one goal to replace the existing library facility.

Following adoption of the Plan, staff requested authorization on January 21, 2015, Resolution 05-15, to apply and accept a $500,000 Library Construction Grant from the State of Florida. Prior to submitting the City’s request for funding as part of the State’s Fiscal 2017 budget, the Florida Department of State - Division of Library and Information Services required the City Council to take a second vote affirming that should the State award the $500,000 Library Construction Grant to the City, the City would build a new facility, Resolution 125-15.

The City has received notification that, as part of the State’s approved budget, the City has been awarded the full $500,000 Library Construction Grant. The grant award sets a number of items into motion as the grant establishes deadlines for certain milestones The first deadline is September 30, 2016. To proceed with a true Public-Private Partnership, the City is in need of a Design Criteria Consultant for Development of Public Library Design Criteria Package.

The City issued RFQ 756-16 on April 17, 2016 for a Design Criteria Consultant for Development of Public Library Design Criteria Package.  On June 21, 2016 an evaluation committee consisting of the Cynthia Cobb, Library Director; Brynt Johnson, Director of Public Works; Randy M. Sherman, Director of Finance & Administrative Services; DeAndrae Spradley, Principal Planner Community Development; and Monty Greene, Library Board Member, convened to review and discuss the responses to the RFQ and,  after the evaluation of written proposals,  BEA Architects was ranked number one by all members of the evaluation committee.