Current Leonardtown Library is a former National Guard armory
Leonardtown, MD — If the May 5 Commissioners of St. Mary’s County public forum was the deciding factor, then the downtown site for the new Leonardtown Library would prevail. Support for the downtown site was double that for Hayden Farm. But the forum will be just one factor to consider in the commissioners’ decision in the downtown versus Harden Farm debate over the site. And the commissioners are also soliciting social media comments before their anticipated vote Tuesday, May 12.
No matter which site is chosen, at the end of the public forum St. Mary’s County Library Director Kathleen Reif said her dedicated staff “would make it (the new library) sing.” Reif called the forum the best she had ever attended and that it was great that the debate was over a site and not whether a new library would be built.
Perhaps the most famous downtown site supporters to speak at the forum were long-time mayor J. Harry “Chip” Norris and his wife, long-time county treasurer Jan Norris, now both retired. Mr. Norris said that the library had been a big part of his life since he was five years old.
The former mayor rebutted some previous testimony saying the site decision shouldn’t be based on business considerations. Norris said. “Developers create jobs and opportunities.” One of the arguments for the downtown site is that it would help downtown businesses.
Mrs. Norris noted that Lawrence Avenue, proposed site for the downtown location, had been affectionately called “the back street” when she was growing up there.” The former treasurer said that location would provide the opportunity “for a new generation of kids on the back street who have never seen a library.”
And Mr. Norris added, “We (he and Jan) met at the library,” to which she responded, “That’s right!”
One option that has surfaced in recent days is the possibility of locating a park on the former Tudor Hall Farm (Mattingly) property that was intended for the library if the Hayden farm site is chosen instead. Commissioner John O’Connor [R – 3rd District] raised the possibility earlier in the day at the regular commissioner meeting.
During budget deliberations the day before the commissioners postponed for one year the next stage of funding for a park that was to be on the Hayden Farm. Director of Public Works and Transportation George Erichsen told the commissioners that if athletic fields for a proposed middle school at Hayden farm could have combined use with a park facility there might be enough room for everything there, including a library and senior center.
At the public forum several speakers noted the potential economic benefit of locating a park instead of a library. Councilman Roger Mattingly, a Hayden Farm supporter, observed that putting a park with sports facilities near downtown could accelerate the construction of Fenwick Street Extended, which would connect downtown with Route 5 across from Clark’s Rest.
The disagreement among town council members over the site played out at the public forum, with Major Dan Burris and Councilman Hayden Hammett supporting the downtown location and council members Leslie Roberts and Mattingly advocating for the Hayden Farm property.
Mayor Burris said the downtown location would be smart growth and good planning with minimal traffic problems, as opposed to the Hayden Farm location. Several Leonard’s Grant residents, not speaking specifically on the library issue, complained about traffic at the Hollywood Road/Leonard’s Grant Parkway intersection even before the new school opens and potential additional traffic from a library and senior center.
O’Connor told the public forum attendees that the commissioners were aware of the need for a traffic light there and were working with the State Highway Administration on the issue.
O’Connor, a Hayden Farm site supporter, had previously criticized Mayor Burris for stirring things up on the issue. But Burris boasted at the public forum, “I am not only proud of it (supporting the downtown location), I am leading it.”
Roberts noted her long involvement with town planning as a planning commissioner and appeals board member before being elected to the council. She said town plans “don’t feature a library as essential to the town’s development.” Roberts also said a sports complex on the former Mattingly property was a good idea.
The downtown location received strong support from the business community at the forum. Leonardtown Business Association Vice President Joe Orlando, owner of a bookstore on Fenwick Street, said libraries are not only book stores, they are ”a warm and dry sanctuary and refuge from loneliness.”
Businessman Raynor Blair, who is redeveloping the old Bell Motor Company used car lot, said he looks at foot traffic in making business decisions. “If you get people in shops everything else thrives,” he observed.
Leonardtown High School student Susan Cochran helps students with homework who live in the area of the proposed downtown site. “It would be an educational resource within walking distance of their homes,” she said.
Hayden Farm supporters such as a young man, who said he worked at the existing library, touted the proximity to the new Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary School set to open in August. But downtown location supporters noted that the site is within walking distance of Leonardtown Elementary School.
Commissioner candidate in last year’s election and former county economic development head Bob Schaller said, “I believe both are good sites. It’s good to have a choice,” but he came down in support of the downtown site for economic development reasons.” He noted that new libraries in Prince Frederick and Waldorf were chosen in commercial areas.
But Barbara Nelson, a Hayden farm supporter, said people visiting the library, such as grandparents, parents and day-care providers, were there with a purpose and wouldn’t go into town to shop.
The owner of the proposed five acres in downtown that would be donated for the library and senior center is expected to be in town to meet with the commissioners Friday, May 8. And the commissioners are encouraging social media contacts through Monday, May 11 before they make their site decision the following day.
Contact Dick Myers at dick.myers@thebaynet.com