Talks Continue To Keep Parma Hts. Library In Present Location

Parma Heights Mayor Michael Byrne

I am extremely happy for the residents of Parma with regard to the recently announced plans for construction of a new 45,000 square foot library branch at a cost of $15 million dollars, as well as, the $7 million dollar renovation project for the Parma-Snow branch. I am pleasantly encouraged that the Cuyahoga County Public Library System has found the money to do these projects.

In our public and private meetings with library officials, they have always stated that their projected branch closing decisions were primarily based on a lack of funds. That is why I am encouraged by this new development. As the library officials now move forward with these aggressive construction plans, I am confident that they will provide the funding required to keep the Parma Heights library open and functioning in its present location in the Greenbrier Commons.

Toward this end, on January 13, 2011, I hosted a very productive meeting with a member of the Library Board and C. Anthony Stavole, the City’s Law Director. At that meeting, it was decided to continue discussions and that the Project Manager from the library will meet with our City Engineer, Daniel Neff, to revise: 1.) the original assessment of space needs of the library, and 2.) the proposed repairs needed at the Greenbrier Commons branch. Mr. Neff and the Project Manager will provide a report with their conclusions and recommendations as soon as they have completed their review.


The Parma Heights library has an interesting history. Starting in 1962, when our residents desired a Parma Heights library branch but the library system was unable to fund the project, city leaders set state precedent by creating a method for municipalities to secure library branches. Under this method, our residents passed a levy to build a library branch at their expense and then turned it over to the Cuyahoga County Library System for the rental fee of $1 per year, becoming the first city in Ohio to accomplish this feat.


Our residents have provided unrelenting support to the Cuyahoga County Library System for nearly half a century and I now think it is only fair that the library system show them the same measure of support.

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Volume 3, Issue 2, Posted 12:59 PM, 02.02.2011