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Library weighs options after Grambau Center listing

News Photo by Crystal Nelson Presque Isle District Library Technician Tiffany Kortman shelves books on Wednesday at the library’s Rogers City location.

ROGERS CITY — The recent listing of the Grambau Education Center has “derailed” the Presque Isle District Library’s plans to redevelop the historic building in Rogers City, library officials said on Wednesday.

The Rogers City Area Schools Board of Education on Monday decided it would list the Grambau Education Center with Traverse City-based Three West Commercial Real Estate Consultants for $500,000.

The library’s board of directors during a meeting on Wednesday verbally agreed it could not move forward in asking voters to support a property tax for the library to relocate to, and renovate, the building.

A letter will also be sent to Greg Zurakowski, school board president, from Jeff Hopp, library board chairman, expressing the library board’s disappointment the property was listed while school board members knew the library was pursuing the project.

Library Director Amber Alexander said no one from the school district or school board contacted her to let her know they were listing the property.

“They knew we put money out for a project. They know we hired a firm. I just think we’ve been really shafted badly by the school district, and I don’t think it’s right that we just let it go,” library board member Bev Brougham said.

Library officials wanted to renovate the building so the Rogers City branch could relocate there and planned to ask voters in August to approve a property tax to fund the project. Amber said library officials had hoped to get the building either free or for a dollar from the school district.

Library officials had already paid a consultant to provide them cost estimates for the project and learned it would cost $8 million to renovate the building. Additionally, library officials have received about $12,000 in donations from the public.

Alexander said the library did not have a right of first refusal for the property. Alexander said she was working with Devin Pommerenke, former school board president, to reach an agreement, but he resigned in October.

The right of first refusal would have given the library the first chance to buy the property when the school district decided to list it.

Library Board members also discussed on Wednesday whether they wanted to move forward with the Grambau Education Center property purchase. Many board members suggested they put the project on the back burner until they see what happens with the building.

Hopp, the library board chairman, said he had concerns about putting any more money toward the project and noted the library is not in the position to buy the building for $500,000.

“That’s just not do-able,” he said. “The only way we could have done the project is if they could have given it to us.”

Alexander said while they wait to see what happens to the Grambau Education Center property, she would continue to look for other opportunities for a new location.

“If a property comes up for sale that would meet what we need, I think it’s worth us coming back together and chatting about it,” she said.

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