The St. Charles Parish Council should be applauded for taking the time to fully consider every possible avenue when it comes to finally putting a library branch in the Des Allmands/Paradis area.
As can be judged by the outpouring of opinions on the issue at recent meetings on the subject, folks in those two communities are starved for a library. And the thinking by most seems to be that as long as a library is available soon, they don’t care if it’s a newly-constructed building or a renovated one.
If the council only takes two weeks to make a decision on the issue, as seemed to be the unanimous consensus on Monday, there shouldn’t be much of a problem.
Both locations have their positives and negatives and it will be up to the council to decide which one is best for the parish. The seafood restaurant on Highway 90 does have its problems, such as lack of a center turn lane, but it’s closer to R.J. Vial and J.B. Martin, and students from both schools should be able to avoid heavy traffic by taking side streets. The parish could also get started on renovations as soon as the building is purchased, and have a new library in about a year.
On the other hand, the location on Old Spanish Trail does seem to be a little safer and would result in a brand-spankin’ new library that would need less maintenance in the future. The brand-spankin’ new factor can also be a downside, however, since folks in the area would have to wait longer for a library.
Whatever their decision may be, it seems like the council has completely stepped up to the plate on the issue and is going to get something done.
Hopefully, it will be sooner rather than later.
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