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FAQ about Proposition L-updated 3.27.24

The Brentwood Public Library (BPL) has launched an expansion/renewal project that will provide more space for community programs, meeting spaces, technology services, and adult and youth materials at a new facility in the heart of Brentwood.

A new facility will allow us to better satisfy our mission as a place for the community to connect, learn, and grow. In a 2022 survey, patrons and staff identified the need to modernize, update, and provide additional space for programming and community gathering as a priority.

More space will allow people greater access to Library offerings such as:

  • Community programs, meetings, and events
  • Individual and group study, work, and learning
  • Technology resources and support
  • Materials, information, and resources for youth and adults
  • Library of things (puzzles, games, fishing poles and more!)
  • Services like on-demand printing, passport renewal
  • Brentwood Historical Society displays and archives

The Board of Trustees of the Brentwood Public Library (BPL) voted on January 16, 2024 to submit Proposition L to the St. Louis County Board of Election Commissioners.

PROPOSITION L

Shall the Brentwood Public Library increase its operating tax levy ceiling by $.21 per $100 of assessed valuation for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, renovating, replacing,

improving, furnishing, equipping, operating and maintaining library facilities? If this proposition is approved, the adjusted operating levy of the Library per $100 of assessed valuation is estimated to be $0.4220 for residential real property, $0.4670 for commercial real property and

$0.5100 for personal property.

2201 S. Brentwood Blvd., two blocks northwest of the current Library location. The new building is 10,000 sq.ft. with 70+ parking spaces. The Library seeks to remodel the building and to increase the space to 15,000 sq ft. The current Library at 8765 Eulalie Ave. is 7,000 sq. ft.  The Library leases its current space from the City of Brentwood and shares the parking lot with the Fire Department and City Hall.

If Proposition L passes, the library will take possession of the new space on July 31st, 2024. We anticipate construction to take 12-14 months to complete. That would potentially have us open in the fall of 2025. We do not anticipate any interruption to library service during that time because we will still be in our current home in the city hall.

On April 2, 2024, all registered voters in Brentwood may vote between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. at any polling place in St. Louis County on election day.

 

The library’s current rate is $0.212 cents. While the library is authorized to collect up to $0.30 cents, it has stayed below that threshold due to the Hancock amendment. With the passage of Proposition L, the rate would increase by $0.21 cents.

 

*Residential property is assessed at 19% for the purpose of calculating annual tax.

The library is requesting $8 million to support the purchase, renovation, expansion and operation of the new facility. With voter approval, the funds will be generated through the sale of certificates of participation and paid back over a maximum 25-year term. The $8 million amount includes approximately $3.2 million for the purchase of the building with the remainder supporting renovation, construction and increased operating costs.  The library will also apply $1 million to the project.

The interest rate and total interest costs on the certificates will be determined by the market at the time the certificates are sold, which would occur in May/June 2024.  The certificates have a maximum annual term of 25 years.  The library has not yet decided on the final maturity of the certificates but will adhere to the current guideline not to exceed 25 years. At the end of the term, there will be an opportunity to review ongoing budget needs and adjust accordingly.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Brentwood Public Library
Gina Gibbons, director
314-963-8630
ggibbons@bplmo.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Brentwood Public Library embarks on renewal project
Renewal includes new building with more space for community programs, materials

Brentwood, Mo., Jan. 24, 2024 — The Brentwood Public Library (BPL) has launched an expansion/renewal project that will provide more space for community programs, meeting spaces, technology services, and adult and youth materials at a new facility in the heart of Brentwood.

In response to the growing popularity of its programs and a 2022 survey of library patrons, the BPL Board of Trustees considered further renovations of the existing 7,000 square-foot space at 8765 Eulalie, building a new facility, or purchasing an existing building. After much consideration, the Board has authorized a contract to purchase a two-story building at 2201 S. Brentwood Blvd., just two blocks from the current library location, that has ample space to meet the requests of library patrons for more community gathering space, more parking, more technology services, and outdoor spaces. With renovations and additions, the building will encompass 15,000 square feet over its two floors.

For the past several years, BPL has rented space at the Brentwood Community Center, Brentwood Parks or at other off-site locations to hold programs as the meeting spaces in the current library are too small to meet demand. The Children’s Room is often filled to overflowing during popular programming, and the existing meeting room only holds 10-12 adults comfortably. With increased spaces for meetings, programs and materials, the new building would eliminate the extra expense for space rentals and bring all BPL programming to one central location.

On April 2, BPL will ask residents of Brentwood to approve a 21-cent tax levy increase to both purchase the building and renovate the interior from an office building into a public library. BPL is selling certificates of participation for this project and will require 16 cents to retire the bonds within 25 years. The remaining 5 cents is necessary for increased operating expenses in the new facility, which is twice the size of the current leased space. Currently, Brentwood residents pay 21 cents per $100 of assessed valuation for BPL. The additional 21 cents per $100 of assessed valuation will give the library $8 million to pay for the new building, renovations and additional operating expenses. BPL will use $1 million of its existing funds toward the project.

The current library will remain operational throughout construction of the new facility.

“We are excited to expand the Brentwood Public Library and offer more to our beloved community,” said Gina Gibbons, director of the Brentwood Public Library. “Patrons love our warm, cozy space at City Hall, but they have also asked for more space to meet, to study, to read, to use our computers, and even to have some outdoor space. This building will offer space for everyone and is just a block from Brentwood Middle and High Schools.”

“We believe this is the right time for us to expand the Brentwood Public Library,” said Ed Wright Jr., president of the Brentwood Board of Trustees. “We are excited to be part of what I call the Brentwood Renaissance. In recent years, the Brentwood community has supported and seen improvements along its commercial corridor, renovation and new construction of its schools, and the creation of an exciting new Brentwood Park."

BPL will hold several information sessions before the April 2 election throughout the city at ward meetings, PTO meetings, and at other opportunities. Please visit www.brentwoodlibrarymo.org for fact sheets and additional information.

Brentwood Public Library is working with Arcturis for building renovations and Stifel for the financing.

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History of the Brentwood Public Library

The Brentwood Public Library opened on Sept. 18, 1938, at 2815 Brentwood Blvd. In 1951, Brentwood residents approved a library bond issue, from which the current library was established at 8765 Eulalie. The library was remodeled in 2004. The Brentwood Public Library is managed by a nine-member Board of Trustees.

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