Fab Lab proposal for old library to come forward this month

October 9, 2013 · 0 Comments

By Brock Weir

Future plans for Aurora’s Library Square were put off once again until more information can come forward on a joint proposal from the Region of York and Seneca College for the old public library building.

Representatives for both are expected to come forward to Council with a vision for their plans on October 22. They are expected to make their pitch on why the old Aurora Public Library building on Victoria Street is the ideal place for an innovation hub known as a “FabLab.”

The Fab Lab concept is one that has been floated at Town Hall via the Economic Development Advisory Committee. It is intended to be a place for leading people in the technological field to develop, test and support new concepts. By bringing together industry and education, it is also intended to be an “innovation incubator” and a stimulus to the local economy.

Councillors were originally due to make a decision this summer on the future of Library Square, a space which also includes the former home of the Aurora Seniors’ Centre, in addition to the well-used current Aurora Public Library and the Aurora Cultural Centre.

After a series of public meetings, Town Staff recommended the demolition of the old Library and Seniors’ Centre, but the next big question was what to put in its place. While some residents, as well as Councillors Evelyn Buck and John Abel, have argued something innovative and useful should be built in its place, an overriding concern is to improve the parking situation in Downtown Aurora.

“I thought it would be in everybody’s best interest to hear what they had to say before a final determination was made,” said Councillor Michael Thompson, making a further motion to delay a decision until after the October 22 presentation.

According to Aurora CEO Neil Garbe, this month’s presentation will also make clear what role the municipality can play in the Region’s proposal.
“The focus of the presentation is to outline what their process is and how we’re collaborating with them, and the ask will be presented at that time,” he said.

Although Councillors ultimately agreed to defer their decision, others were very vocal in their arguments that a decision is long-past due.

“The fact we’re not going to deal with this in our term is settled in my mind,” said Councillor John Abel. “This has gone on way to slow. We have accomplished almost nothing, but it seems to me we have adopted to keep the Library and use it as a Fab Lab, and I am very disappointed with how this has all gone on.”

Councillors such as Michael Thompson and John Gallo were quick to point out, however, that a decision had not yet been made. Councillor Abel, however, insisted it seemed Council had “settled” on this plan.

“I think it is incumbent once we get through this deferral that this Council provide some leadership on what it is we want to do,” said Councillor Abel. “We’re not being very clear on what this is. I am not in favour of the deferral, but I would be interested in seeing…if Library Square is the only possibility for this Fab Lab or whether there are other options as well.”

Councillor Buck was the Councillor who got the ball rolling this Council term in determining a use for Library Square once and for all. Her vision is a new, multi-storey, multi-use destination building funded out of the Town’s hydro reserves. After months of delay, she said she concluded that recommendations were being put off to ensure the old library would be available for swing space once Town Hall renovations got underway.

“Pardon me if I form my own conclusions on why it has taken three years for us to get to this point,” she said, noting the proposal coming forward is from outside agencies who are likely unaware of neighbouring residents’ concerns over parking in the area.

“What do they know about the problems that will be created for the people that live in that square? Nothing. What do they care? They see an empty building. I want to know what is going to happen in terms of notifying all the people who came out to those two meetings and earnestly put out their concern and thought something was underway, finally, after all these years the Town was taking some action to resolve some of the problems they have experienced in their neighbourhood.

“Now it is going to be deferred to October 22 until we listen to a proposal to put that building into use on something we had no idea how much parking that use will require. That is not satisfactory to me.