New Washougal library tied to passage of FVRLibraries levy lid

The future of Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries’ Washougal library project could be in doubt if voters reject FVRLibraries’ levy lid lift request during the Aug. 5 election.

“FVRLibraries is committed to the vision of a new Washougal Community Library and grateful for the community support behind it,” FVRLibraries Executive Director Jennifer Giltrop said. “At this time, we cannot express confidence in the project’s completion without internal funding. While external fundraising efforts are ongoing, they depend entirely on sources outside the district’s control.”

FVRLibraries is asking voters to restore its levy rate to 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. If the levy fails, FVRLibraries would, according to its website, “cancel plans for new library locations.”

FVRLibraries’ website states that “the new Washougal Community Library project may proceed if additional grants or donations close the funding gap, but no further FVRL operating funds would be allocated.”

Giltrop said “moving forward without internal funding would require significant and sustained external fundraising” from FVRLibraries’ foundation. Washougal Friends of the Library and other groups that have shown interest in raising funds for the future Washougal library building.

FVRLibraries plans to construct an $11 million, 13,000-square-foot library building in downtown Washougal. It has committed almost $4.1 million to the project and received a $2.22 million appropriation from the Washington state government earlier this year. The FVRL Foundation has raised $700,000, and Friends of the Washougal Library has raised $300,000, leaving a funding gap of $3.7 million.

“FVRLibraries has worked with the community and our partners at the FVRL Foundation, Washougal Friends of the Library and the city of Washougal over many years to fund a new Washougal Community Library, as well as plan for it,” Giltrop said. “Washougal has experienced steady population growth over the past decade. The land the new library will be built on was donated to FVRLibraries.”

According to the FVRLibraries website, if the levy lid lift request is approved, the new Washougal library could open as soon as 2027.

Doug Flanagan: 360-735-4669; doug.flanagan@columbian.com