Letter: Likes library downtown

I am writing to express my support and excitement for the proposed downtown library site.

For years, my four small children and I have walked or biked the five blocks to the current library. We love being able to get there by foot, and the sidewalks and controlled intersections make this easy. So when the new location being discussed was all the way up on the corner of Carmichael and Vine, I was very disappointed. Not only would we not be able to walk there anymore, it was another piece of the historic and cozy downtown that would be lost (similar to the post office) to the less-central areas of the city.

Having grown up in the suburbs of St. Paul where there is little community identity or downtown feel, I think it is important to retain both of these in Hudson. And keeping the library downtown is a great way to do so.

I am also thrilled by the idea of the library being next to the river; there could not be a more beautiful location than this? I can easily envision children and adults checking out books and then sitting down next to the riverfront to read them. And having a library that is within walking distance of many homes and downtown businesses (like Knoke’s Chocolates, our favorite store in Hudson) will be good for these small businesses as well as the economy of Hudson.

Finally, with the estimated cost of renovating an existing building coming in substantially below the estimate of an entirely new facility, it seems the former NMC building is hands-down a wonderful proposition. My kids and I can’t wait to (hopefully) walk there soon to enjoy the bigger and more beautiful Hudson library.

Tags: opinion, hudson, lettertoeditor, library