Boones Ferry Road projects and new library building need funding

The Lake Oswego City Council has approved two measures for the Nov. 6 general election ballot.

One asks voters whether the city should issue up to $14 million in general obligaiton bonds to help pay for a new public library. The new 60,000-square-foot building, planned at First Street and B Avenue, would replace the existing facility at Fourth Street and D Avenue.

The new library would include more space for collections, study and computer areas, and spaces for adult, teen and children’s programming, according to the ballot measure. It would also offer community meeting and program space.

The city would augment the bond proceeds with other resources, including urban renewal money and existing library capital dollars, to pay for the balance of the new building’s costs, as well as parking and other site improvements.

The estimated cost to taxpayers is 17 cents for every $1,000 in assessed property value for up to 25 years.

The second ballot measure asks voters to authorize the city to issue up to $5 million in general obligation bonds to help pay for improvements to Boones Ferry Road.

If approved, the money would be put toward the costs of design, right of way acquisition and construction for projects on Boones Ferry Road from Madrona Street to the intersection with Oakridge and Reese roads.

The improvements, as outlined in the city’s 2008 Lake Grove Village Center plan, include four lanes for car traffic, landscaped medians with turn lanes, new sidewalks with street trees and lighting, street furniture and landscaping, bicycle lanes, enhanced storm drainage systems and underground utilities. In addition, a new signalized pedestrian crossing is planned at Lanewood Road, near Lake Grove Elementary School.

The city would supplement the bond money with urban renewal funding and other sources. The estimated cost to taxpayers is 6 cents for every $1,000 in asessed property value over 25 years.

Voters can file petitions for review of either ballot title in Clackamas County Circuit Court. The deadline to challenge the titles is 5 p.m. Friday, according to the city.