By Lindsey Gemme
Eloy Enterprise
City Council approved staff’s pursuit of purchasing some land out by the airport, and for the refurbishment of the former city library last week after lengthy discussion about the costs.
Staff brought a formal proposal before Council last Monday to allow them to move forward in procuring a 15-year loan at a fixed interest rate of 3.10 percent for $2,900,000. The loan money would go toward the purchase of 280 acres of land adjacent to the airport for future expansion, and to draw up plans for reconstruction of the former city library into a community center and emergency location. It was also staff’s intent to refinance a loan the city had for the construction of the Public Works building.
“I cannot support [this],” Councilman J.W. Tidwell said, looking at the $550,000 price tag that came attached to the library project. “I don’t think it’s wrong for us to purchase this 280 acres – but to spend this $550,000 to renovate the old library is exorbitant and very close to a total waste of $550,000.”
