Because Dollar General is n
egotiating with the Village of Martin to locate a store where Boysen’s used to be, Library Board Vice President Alice Kelsey wants to find a way to save the old library building nearby.
Kelsey appeared before the Martin Township Board and proposed the old brick structure be moved next door to the current J.C. Wheeler Library building on the southwest side of town, across the street from the Township Hall.
Kelsey told the board Dollar General officials have indicated no interest in the old library and will raze it if it can strike a deal with the village. Dollar General wants as much space as possible for the store and parking at the four corners of downtown Martin.
“People say it would really be great not to lose this building (the old library),” she said.
She suggested the old library, owned by Greg Harris, could be used for storage, office space or even a museum.
She said it’s been recommended the main floor of the building be moved, leaving behind the basement.
But, she added, “The basement is dry, clean. In my opinion, the building is in great shape.”
However, Trustees Jim Brenner and Jack Sipple said they weren’t so optimistic. Brenner said the township some day may want to move its offices to the site next to Wheeler Library and Sipple said the building would cut down on available parking.
Clerk Carrie Coburn said she would be in favor of moving the old library directly south next to the township hall.
But Kelsey said she worries that if the old library is moved to a spot where it’s a stand-alone facility, it won’t be used.
“If the old library is connected to the new one, it will be used and it will be staffed,” she explained. “We’re growing fast at the library and we’re starting to run out of room.”
Township officials also said they are concerned about the expenses of bringing the old library building up to codes and making it handicapped accessible.
“If the board is not willing to expend more than it dos now for the library, then perhaps we should not continue (with the idea)… I would be just heartsick to see this building demolished.”
She was told not to give up yet and Supervisor Glenn Leep will meet with her and others to explore the matter further.
PHOTOS: A Dollar General store may replace the old Boysen Market site as early as next spring. The dilapidated Boysen’s building was brought down earlier this year after a proposed bond issue for a community school building failed.
Alice Kelsey
