Images unveiled last week of what the Fayetteville Public Library could be are impressive.
Architect Jack Poling presented what designers have in mind for the local institution in a series of public meetings, complete with renderings of how the expanded library might look.
Although everything he described is subject to change, the plan is to add about 80,000 square feet to the existing 88,000-square-foot building, stretching the footprint south onto property that long housed Fayetteville City Hospital.
The property is still tied up in litigation brought by descendants of the family that long ago donated the land for hospital use. The matter is awaiting Arkansas Supreme Court review.
Assuming the library is allowed to buy the property from Washington Regional Medical Center, the current owner, more specific planning will proceed for an L-shaped addition with an open plaza for concerts and other events.
The preliminary planning within that L-shaped expansion includes a two-level youth area to service kids of all ages, a genealogy area and roof garden as well as multipurpose space.
It's all pretty impressive and would allow the library to serve the city better now and in the future.
If the land deal doesn't happen, the architects will propose a smaller expansion.
Either way, there's a major hurdle ahead -- paying for any expansion and for library operation.
The architects' presentations last week came roughly a month in advance of a critical local election to provide part of the funding for the project, which could cost around $49 million.
That's the projected price tag for the larger project, which would be partially covered by an estimated $26.5 million from the new millage. The balance of the money, another $22 million, is expected from private donations.
The special election will be Aug. 9, asking city voters to pitch in additional property taxes not only to expand the library but also to provide more operating funds for the long haul.
Currently, a 1-mill property tax supports the library's operation.
Library officials are asking for a 3.7-mill levy in the future, although 1 mill would be temporary. That's the part that would be dedicated to pay off construction bonds.
Once the bonds are paid off, the levy would drop to 2.7 mills per year, resulting in a 1.7-mill increase over the current library tax, which has been in place since 1948.
It is a complicated ask, one that voters will need to be educated on, if they're to agree.
Not only is there uncertainty about the land purchase, voters won't know the full plans for the expansion until after the election.
A campaign is being developed by Build Fayetteville's Future, a committee raising money for the effort.
The group has a presence on Facebook as well as a Web site (buildfayettevillesfuture.com). The initial library renderings are available on both sites.
There are also arguments for the library's expansion, details on its history and its current heavy use, which is the real impetus for the project.
So far at least, no opposition campaign has developed.
If you're wondering what the hurry is, the timing of the election is all about getting a decision from voters in time for the tax increase to start funneling new money to the library more quickly.
Approval in August would allow the levy to happen this year to apply to taxes collected in 2017.
It's not an easy timetable, but it is what it is.
So expect the pitch for the proposal to really intensify in these last few weeks before the August vote.
By the way, the last day to register to vote in this election is Monday.
Commentary on 07/10/2016