Chronicle Editorial

A wall worth building
     Recent developments at the Hampton Public Library sent ripples through the community after the building’s famous curved brick wall was deemed unfixable. Ongoing renovations intended to repair a bulge in the wall were halted, and the project was left in limbo as officials scrambled to find additional funds to completely rebuild it.
     The sources of new funding have remained a mystery. The Hampton Public Library Foundation has expressed its support to cover a portion of the additional costs, but it should not be responsible for the extra $91,000 needed to rebuild the wall. The group already contributed money towards the project and has other things – like the east side courtyard addition – to worry about.
     Some members of the community believe the courtyard project should be put on the back burner so money can be diverted to rebuild the wall. That looks good on the surface, but it raises other concerns. The city has already awarded the bid for the courtyard project and could get caught in a legal bind if it tries to back out. While cost-saving measures should be investigated, it’s probably not possible to abruptly cancel courtyard construction in hopes of freeing up funds. The project has already been delayed more than two years and will be a beneficial addition to the library once completed.
     With funding sources up in air, the community could be called on to help generate additional money needed for the new wall. Local residents already gave more than $50,000 to the project during a special fundraiser in 2014, which was a significant accomplishment. However, officials have remained adamant that no rainy day funds exist to help cover the unexpected costs. Another fundraiser might be necessary if the community is willing to support it.
     Lost in all of this is the urgency of the wall project. The library’s east side windows are boarded up, a plastic barrier continues to block dust from coating books inside, and the courtyard project remains on hold. Recent developments will certainly delay reconstruction efforts as additional funding is sought, however, it shouldn’t be an indefinite postponement. The library cannot be left in its current state until the end of the year – Iowa winters are simply too harsh.
     Whether the city can scrape together enough money to fund the wall reconstruction project remains to be seen. However, it’s clear all options must be explored as soon as possible. Residents may bemoan the possibility of another fundraiser, but it’s important to realize the library’s impact on Hampton and surrounding area. It serves many unique roles in our ever-changing community and provides vital services to citizens both young and old. That reality must not be ignored as city officials debate the next steps.
     The library’s new wall will be an investment in Hampton’s future. It’s 110 years old and stood the test of time so far, but old buildings need help. Sometimes that means new windows or technology upgrades, but in this case it’s a wall. There’s really no choice other than to build it better than ever.