BRIEF

Jul 26, 2010 — The Times

Susan Erler

Jul. 24, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- CROWN POINT -- A proposed new Crown Point library appears to have cleared a possible hurdle.

A 30-day period for affected residents and taxpayers to remonstrate neared an end Friday with nobody notifying the Lake County Auditor's office of that intent, a spokeswoman for the office said.

The remonstrance period opened June 24 with the filing of notice of a preliminary bond resolution approved earlier by the Crown Point Community Library Board, opening an opportunity for petitioners to block the project.

Plans are for a $12 million new building in the downtown on Robinson Court between Main and East streets.

Officials plan to fund the project with bond issues, one later this year for about $1.5 million and another next year for about $10.5 million.

The cost would be borne over 20 years by property owners in the Crown Point library district. For example, additional property taxes would amount to $12.67 for the owner of a $100,000 home in Center or Winfield townships, or $37.83 for the owner of a $200,000 home, officials involved in the funding proposal said.

The new library could open in early 2013 if all goes as planned.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0129-47273564