From late fees to potential leasing opportunities, the City of Guelph has a new plan for the Guelph Public Library building. The city is buying the property at 100 Norfolk Street while staff finish moving the library to a new location at 1 Baker Street, which is set to open in 2027. The city said it will use $3.69 million it received through Ontario’s Building Faster Fund last year to pay for the purchase. City staff will now look at housing options for the site, including, but not limited to, leasing the land or building housing through partnerships with housing providers and developers. The hope is to eventually offer below-market housing options. The Guelph Public Library Board worked with the city to help make the sale possible. “The Guelph Public Library Board is proud to support an outcome that addresses one of our community’s most pressing needs. As we prepare to welcome patrons to our new Central Library, we’re pleased to contribute to much-needed housing, including affordable housing options. This decision reflects our commitment to ensuring public assets deliver long-term value for the people of Guelph,” Bang Ly, chair of the Guelph Public Library Board, said in a news release on Friday.
