Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The Warsaw Community Public Library has acquired the house owned by Reed & Earhart on East Main Street for $166,500.
Library attorney Mike Armey read a letter to the library board Monday stating Reed & Earhart's terms. The property could be acquired for $180,500, reduced by $14,000 to allow the attorneys to stay in possession until January 1998.
The letter also stated that Reed & Earhart would continue to pay taxes and maintain the property until the library takes possession.
The letter said the library had until 5 p.m. today to accept the offer or it would be considered rejected.
Board member Don Sweatland said the purchase price was less than the appraised value of the property. The board voted unanimously to buy the property, and gave Armey a check for $83,250 - half the purchase price - to take to Reed & Earhart.
The building will be torn down to create much-needed space for parking. The library also hopes to acquire the Christian Science Church property. Both properties are located north of the library in the same block.
The library had about 60 parking spaces before construction began; without the Reed & Earhart property, there would be only 32 parking spaces, including four handicapped.
Acquisition of the Reed & Earhart property will give the library 22 more spaces; if the church sells its property, the library would gain 17 more spaces, for a total of 71.
It will be about 1 1/2 years before the library is able to offer parking to its patrons, Zydek said.
Library patrons should not park in downtown business lots during business hours. Before 4 p.m., patrons may park in the Elks parking lot beyond the Shell station. Patrons may use the Lake City Bank parking lot only after 5:30 p.m. A few two-hour parking spots on the street are also available.
In other business, the board opened four bids for asbestos inspection of the library. The bid was awarded to Alt & Witzig of Fort Wayne, who said their inspection cost would not exceed $1,400.
Library employees have expressed concern that construction is disturbing asbestos in the building. Library director Ann Zydek said that, based on a 1991 report, there is no asbestos in the areas where construction has taken place.
The workers will not reach the boiler room/mechanical area until February. Any asbestos in that area will be removed before construction affects that part of the building.
