PINE BLUFF, Ark. (KTHV) – Pine Bluff unveiled its plans for a brand new public library to help revitalize its downtown area.
Taylor Eubank, Director of Special Services, said the plans have been in the works for almost two years. The new library will be located at 6th Avenue and Main Street.
"We really think it's just going to transform Pine Bluff,” Eubank said. "We need a new one really badly."
You could say a new chapter is starting with this new library. Eubank said the old building has issues.
"This building that we're in, was not designed to be a library and it just doesn't function well,” he said. "This library floods and when I say floods, it really floods."
The new 32,000 square foot library will be built from the ground up. It will include an outdoor venue, coffee shops and a computer room.
"So many of our patrons don't have access to internet, computers. People in our community can come look online, see what jobs are available and then apply for that job,” Eubank said.
Voters in Pine Bluff and Jefferson County approved a millage increase in 2016 to help build the new library.
Jana Mitchell has worked at the library for over 20 years. She said this new library is long overdue.
"It's going to be a heart of our community. That's what a good library is,” she said.
Eubank said this library is a step in the right direction for the entire community.
"We are transforming downtown Pine Bluff into something better than it is now, and so the library is one of the first steps to help make that happen,” Eubank said.
Construction of the new library is expected to begin in fall of 2018. Library Director Bobbie Morgan hopes to have it open by Feb. 14, 2020.