The Greater Victoria Library Board voted Tuesday to move the Emily Carr branch from its current site at Blanshard Street and Saanich Road across the street to Uptown shopping centre.
With the approval, Saanich has the go-ahead to negotiate a lease with Uptown and work out when a move might happen.
The narrow 8-7 vote didn’t reflect an unwillingness to approve the move, said board chairman Greg Bunyan.
Rather, the board was pondering two motions to relocate the branch, and the division concerned issues of accessibility at the new location, Bunyan said.
“The first vote came up and it passed 8-7 and because it passed, we moved on,” Bunyan said.
“There were some people who voted against the motion but were in favour of the concept.
“Really, the board is strongly in favour of a move, but there are a couple questions regarding this particular site.”
The proposed site is on the upper level of Uptown, connected to the lower level by escalators, elevators and a 42-step staircase, Bunyan said.
The existing branch is on two floors. A review of library facilities written in 2010 said that the branch, which opened in 1972, should be upgraded or moved.
The review cited inefficient use of space, mechanical systems that needed replacement, and difficult access for people with disabilities. Washrooms are on the lower level and accessible only by a staircase.
At the Uptown site, the library would have 5,000 square feet on two levels but there would be an elevator, Bunyan said.
“The square footage is slightly less than the old site but we get to design it, so we think it’s a more efficient use of space.”
The existing branch has about 6,000 square feet of usable space, library officials say.
Library board member and Victoria Coun. Pam Madoff has concerns about accessibility for pedestrians, such as those arriving by bus on Douglas Street.
“My concern is physical accessibility by anyone who has any degree of mobility challenge and how that might be addressed,” Madoff said.
