City Hall Move May Leave
Michigan Library in the Lurch
Hazel Park (Mich.) Memorial Library may find itself without a home if the city council decides to move a local court into the city-owned building the library occupies without a lease, the Detroit Free Press reported August 23. The problem stems from a lack of space in City Hall, which is next door and houses city offices, the 40-plus-member police department, and the 43rd District Court.
“I understand that the city has a problem with space,” said Library Director Catherine Rudelich, “but they’re trying to solve it on the back of the library.” She called Mayor Ben Colley’s suggestion that the library and the court share the building unrealistic. “You can’t run a court and a library in one building,” she said.
Resident Helen Sandoval said, “It’s just not right for the city to do that, even if they do own the building. Cities should protect their libraries, not look to do away with them.”
An earlier plan to move both City Hall and the independently operated library was rejected by voters June 27.
Posted August 28, 2000.
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