The former Greenville Advocate building was torn down last week at the intersection of Second and Summer streets, the location where a new public library will eventually be built in Greenville.
The City of Greenville owns that lot and two other vacant lots on the block, having purchased them in early 2025 as the sight for a new library complex. That action was taken after the Greenville Public Library Board recommended a new library.
The demolition of the newspaper building last week was conducted by Slatton Excavating Incorporated of Greenville. It was built in 1967.
WGEL talked with Chance Vohlken, president of the library board, last week. He said fund raising efforts for a new facility continue.
Plans are to seek a state library grant, but applying for that will occur next year. Contacts have also been made to obtain federal earmark funding through Senator Dick Durbin’s office.
According to Vohlken, the state grant could potentially cover the majority of the cost. He commented they are trying to use those funding channels to bring tax dollars back to the community, while attempting to limit the need of local tax money for the project.
So when could a new library be constructed? Chance said maybe three to five years.
No final architectural plans have been developed, but Vohlken believes that work could begin soon, so plans are in hand when the state opens the library grant application time period. The library board is looking at a 10,000 to 12,000 square foot structure, which would be two to two and one-half times larger than the current library.
City officials and library board members have agreed the old library building will be repurposed after the new one is in use.
