Proposals for old library building fail again
The highly visible building off Aloma Avenue will remain vacant indefinitely as the City Commission considers what to do next
Jan. 12, 2024
By Beth Kassab
For the second time in a year, a proposal to transform the old Winter Park Library building on New England and Aloma Avenues has failed because of financial concerns.
City Commissioners voted 3-1 on Thursday against moving forward with the only plan that qualified for public discussion: a concept known as SOAR that billed itself as a space and science museum and learning center. Todd Weaver cast the dissenting vote.
Commissioners expressed concerns over the financial feasibility of the plan, which proposed to rent the building from the city under a long-term lease.
The decision lands the city back at the same position it found itself in a year ago — uncertain about the future of the building left empty when the new Winter Park Library on Morse Boulevard opened at the end of 2021.
Last year commissioners ended an exclusive deal with a developer to transform the old library into co-working space that also featured a café and event space.
A few months later, the commission opted to ask for another round of proposals for the site with a potential focus on workforce housing and providing workspace to local nonprofits. Only two proposals came in after commissioners pondered out loud during summer budget hearings about whether they should just sell the building to raise revenue instead. Ultimately, only the proposal for the museum met the qualifications for public discussion.
Spokeswoman Clarissa Howard said the next steps are likely to be discussed at an upcoming Commission meeting, though a date has not yet been set.
WinterParkVoiceEditor@gmail.com
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By: Beth Kassab
No biography available at this time
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Put the library back in the library.
All of us mere mortals obviously don’t understand that a 60 year lease with below market rates for a start-up museum run by a start up non profit is a great idea! Just ask the commissioner who voted for it. He’ll tell you how right he is……but tell him, “No PowerPoint, pleeeeaaaaze.”
This proposal almost feels like some sort of elaborate con. The website for this “museum” makes references to programs and initiatives that don’t seem to exist. It’s just elaborate concepts with no actual substance or track record of success.
Is the city at least getting some revenue from Alfond and Rollins for getting to use the parking lot as their personal construction staging area and valet parking depot?
I don’t believe that it’s Aloma and New England where the previous library was located, but rather “between” East Fairbanks Ave and East New England Ave, with Chase Ave at the north side of the building. Aloma transitions to Brewer Ave (heading down Brewer Hill), then to Osceola Ave, then to East Fairbanks Ave, so Aloma is quite a bit aways from the previous library. 426 would be substitutable.