Landmark $232m project could house out-of-lease City Library

The busy and crowded City Library may be on the move, as Town Hall weighs up options for a new home – which includes the council’s $232 million landmark precinct project.

City Library in Flinders Lane could move into the council’s new landmark project.

Melbourne’s central library could be moved into the council’s proposed $232 million Bourke St development.

The lease on City Library’s Flinders Lane location expires in two years time forcing Town Hall to find a new location, which at one stage was thought to be in the Metro tunnel development on Swanston St.

Councillors have called for the public area of the new project to be considered for library space.

Under the plans to be submitted to the state government, the council will demolish its run-down Council House 1 building on Lt Collins St to build a 10-level tower.

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City Library, Flinders Lane, Melbourne.

The Flinders Lane building.

Part of project has been set aside for “public commons” area which could be the home to the library collection, which is running out of room in the Flinders Lane building.

City Library welcomed 812,000 visits in the past year — more than half of the total visits to the council’s six branches.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the search was on for the library’s next location.

“Our current lease on the Flinders Lane site ends in December 2020. In assessing options, we would look to find a location that is equally central, dynamic and able to form part of the cultural heart of the city,’’ Cr Capp said.

The $232m redevelopment of Council House 1 building.

The project between Bourke and Lt Collins Sts.

“City Library is one of the busiest lending libraries in Melbourne, if not the busiest.’’

New council libraries have opened at Southbank in the Boyd Community Hub in 2012, Docklands in 2014 and the Kathleen Syme refurbishment in 2015.

The council has applied to the state government for planning and heritage approval for the project that fronts both Lt Collins and Bourke streets.

The nearby former Commonwealth Bank building on Bourke St would be refurbished and extended to integrate into the redevelopment.

Cr Capp said the project would be a new landmark for Melbourne.

@IanRoyall