The Multnomah County Library may have a location for its planned east county flagship — a 95,000 square-foot project that would become the second-largest branch in the system.
The library and TriMet have agreed to negotiate over the sale of the Gresham City Hall Park and Ride at 1297 NW Eastman Parkway, triggering a 120-day period of due diligence that would establish a sales price.
If successful, the project would draw funding from the 2020 library bond measure that is estimated to raise $387 million for a total of nine projects. The east Multnomah County flagship would be the only new building on the list, and library officials aim to make it iconic.
“It’s going to be a destination,” said Liz Sauer, a spokesperson for the library’s capital bond projects. “What this looks like will really be guided by community engagement.”
The list of possible features includes outdoor space, a teen center, a preschool and a large maker space such as the one at the Rockwood Library.
At 103,000 square feet, Central Library is the county’s biggest. It will close in August for three months of major renovations.
Library administrators estimate the east Multnomah County facility will open in early 2025.
— Beth Slovic; bslovic@oregonian.com
