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Library advocates launch final push
By LOGAN D. MABE WESTCHASE -- In a last-ditch effort to appeal to decisionmakers, proponents of a library site in Westchase convinced the community development district to de-annex a piece of property to sweeten the deal for a potential sale. The CDD voted unanimously Tuesday to exclude the site along Countryway Boulevard from the development's property rolls. That means if the county decides to purchase it for a library, it will not be responsible for $374,000 in CDD fees and another $62,500 in annual maintenance fees. Last month, the Library Advisory Board spurned proponents of the Westchase site and opted for a 4.2-acre site about a half-mile away, on the other side of Race Track Road at Lynmar Boulevard. That property was a late entry in the library site sweepstakes when developer Andrew Lynn offered it at a September library board meeting. Later, a consultant recommended the Lynmar site over the Westchase site and library board members voted 6-2 for it. County commissioners will have the final say when they vote on the issue Dec. 19. That's when Westchase leaders will make one more appeal. "The library board has already pretty much voted against that (Westchase) site, whether or not it gets de-annexed," said Westchase spokeswoman Kris DiGiovanni. "They've made up their minds, so the only thing that could sway the BOCC is public opinion, and the public has overwhelmingly supported the Countryway site." The board plans to finance the 10,000-square-foot library through ad valorem taxes, low-interest loans and, if the application is successful, up to $500,000 in state grants. The library is supposed to open by 2004. - Logan D. Mabe can be reached at (813) 226-3464 or at mabe@sptimes.com.
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From the Times |
